RECOND entries and a bumper crowd helped to make Darlington's weekend 10km road run one of the best yet.

The CD Bramall Darlington road run and 2km fun run took place around the town on Sunday.

Delighted organisers said there were 1,041 entries for the road race, more than ever before, and another record of more than 300 participants in the fun run.

There was a new name on the trophy in both the men's and women's races. Emerging talent Martin Scaife, who runs for Chester-le-Street but was born and bred in Darlington, took the men's title in a time of 30min 57sec after leading from the start.

Darlington Harrier Bernadette Taylor, who was second in the race four years ago, was delighted to claim the women's crown in her home town with a time of 37min 17sec.

Competition at the head of the race was fierce, but for hundreds of other runners it was a chance to improve their personal best times, or raise some money for charity.

This year's event, held under UK Athletics (UKA) rules, will raise money for the Rotary Club of Darlington's Defibrillator Appeal.

Richard McVay and Karl Clark, who work for main sponsors CD Bramall, dressed up as Batman and Robin.

Fun runners included the JM Beechfield five-a-side football team, all aged 15, who raised £150 for the South Cleveland cardiac unit.

Organisers of the event, also supported by The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council, sportswear firm View From and Alpha Radio, had some anxious moments before the start when the heavens opened.

But the skies cleared and everything ran smoothly.