Wiltshire councillor Laura Mayes, running for our Give US A Chance appeal, was among more than 400 people who completed the Devizes Half Marathon on Sunday.

Her husband, James, was injured part way around the course but determination kept him going to finish.

It was the second time that Coun Mayes from Roundway, who is the cabinet member for children’s services, has taken on the 13.1-mile distance for our appeal to help Devizes Opportunity Centre.

On Sunday she found the warm conditions and the hilly course a challenge but finished in two hours and 19 minutes, raising £250.

Coun Mayes, who broke a bone in her foot in May, said: “I think I was under prepared and I found the course difficult.

“Most of the runners were seriously good athletes so it was a little daunting.

“It was a very tough course and I was relieved to get round, albeit rather slowly.

“I am happy to be donating £250 to the Devizes Opportunity Centre.”

Paul Buckingham was another Devizes resident running for a good cause.

Mr Buckingham, who celebrated his 45th birthday the day after the race, was raising money for the Bag4Sport Foundation’s appeal for a well in a Gambian village. He is hoping to raise £500.

Sunday’s race was the third running of the race organised by Events Logic UK and sponsored by DS Smith Packaging and Care UK.

Prizes were supplied by Push Active Devizes running store.

Devizes Mayor Sarah Bridewell got the race underway at 10am.

The course then took competitors through attractive outskirts and on a tour of the villages Etchilhampton, All Cannings and Coate before looping back onto Nursteed road and finishing on The Green.

The first to finish was a delighted Gary Dunstone from Chippenham Harriers, winning in a course record time of one hour 17 minutes.

The women’s race was won by Natalie Plummer, who romped over the finish line in one hour 29 minutes.

Next year’s Devizes Half Marathon will take place on March 8.