MORE than 275 runners braved one of the hottest days of the year so far to take part in the DB Max Melksham Town Football Club 10k race on Sunday June 30.

The event was staged at the InfiLED Stadium in Melksham and is a first for the club and race sponsor Melksham Motor Spares.

The event was organised by Melksham-based company, DB Max, which provides timing systems for races and multi-sport events.

Managing director Will Whitmore said: "It was very successful. We have had some amazing feedback online.

"Because of the heat, we had six water stations, three for each lap, plus sponge drops.

"There was good support from the local running clubs, including Avon Valley Runners, Forest Fitness and Melksham Park Run, as well as Melksham Lions Club."

Mr Whitmore said they are already talking to Melksham Town FC about next year's event and making the race an annual fixture.

A total of 279 runners took part in the 10k, whose route took in parts of the town centre and nearby residential streets.

The men's race winner was Ed Knudsen, of Avon Valley Runners, who covered the course in 33 minutes and 7.9 seconds, closely followed by Gary Dunstone, of Team Bath Athletics Club, in 33:53.2, and Simon Gilbert, of Devizes Running Club, in 33:55.7.

The women's race winner was Veryan Cranston, of Avon Valley Runners, in 41:01.5, followed by her club mate Gemma Lawton on 41:38.2 and Kiersty Rose, of Calne Running Club, on 42:04.5.