IT didn't matter if they ran or walked - it was just crossing the finishing line that was important yesterday.

About 1,100 runners, some experienced and others taking part just for fun, descended on Darlington from across the region to take part in the 18th annual Sherwoods Chevrolet Darlington 10k Road Run.

The race was held in aid of the Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital and St Teresa's Hospice, though some ran for other worthy causes.

The event was split up into three categories - a fun run, a 3k junior run and the main 10k race, which was entered by a record number of people.

The first person across the finishing line was Martin Scaife, from Chester-le-Street, in a time of 30 minutes and 26 seconds.

It is the fifth year Mr Scaife has won the race, and he was only five seconds outside the course record.

However, another great achiever on the day was Kevin Scott, who completed the course in just over an hour - only six months after having a quadruple heart bypass.

Jeff Dawson, one of the event organisers, said after the race: "We started preparing for the race back in January and worked very closely with the police and Darlington Rotary Club. We can't thank them enough.

"We had a team of four people on the course from 5am to make sure the traffic management measures were in place and the day ran as smoothly as we could have hoped for."

Darlington resident Vic Parkinson is a member of the Swaledale Road Runners club and completed the race in 59 minutes.

The 62-year-old said: "I entered the race as I did it last year.

"I came along with other club members, and my son-in-law took part too.

"There was a great atmosphere. Although people want to do well, it isn't a very competitive race and spectators were cheering us on around the course."

The event was sponsored by Highland Spring, which provided 4,000 bottles of water to refresh the tired runners, and Darlington Primary Care Trust. The race supports the trust's Chance To Live campaign.

Colin Morris, the trust's chief executive, joined runners yesterday and completed the course in 57 minutes.

He said: "I am delighted to support the 10k road run and the Chance to Live campaign.

"Being fit and active is the best possible remedy to ill health and the answer to many physical and mental ailments. Exercise, coupled with a healthy diet, can stave off a host of illnesses, particularly coronary heart disease.

"Not everybody needs to run a 10k race to stay healthy. To many, a short brisk walk round the block every day could be the answer.

"But I am happy to lead from the front as we continue to improve the health and well-being of residents in Darlington."

* A full list of results from the Darlington 10K will appear in The Northern Echo this Friday in the Local Heroes supplement.