DRIVING rain and fierce wind did not dampen spirits at the fourth annual Kirste 5 race on Sunday.

The race is organised by Benfleet Running Club and celebrates the life of former member Kirste Snellgrove, pictured below, who raised thousands of pounds for cancer charities before losing her battle with the illness herself.

The race, which starts and finishes at Grove Wood Primary School in Rayleigh, takes in many of the routes Kirste used to enjoy running along, heading out towards Hockley Woods and back again.

The first runner of the 269 who started to make it back to the finish line was Colchester’s Gareth Williams in a time of 29m 31s.

He was closely followed by Liviu Ionita (29m 42s) and Neil Spicer (31m 21s).

Eddy Cooper was the first Benfleet RC runner back in fourth place (31m 59s), one spot ahead of team-mate Callum Liassi (32m 45s).

Rochford Running Club’s Lindsey Colman was the first female to finish in 34m 01s, followed by Tracey Bartlett, of Leigh-on-Sea Striders, in 36m 02s and Vicky Cooper, from Barking Road Runners, in 36m 06s.

Many runners competed in pink while others donned fancy dress.

The family, one-mile fun run was won by Luke Gill, 14, from East Essex Tri, followed by Elliott Mowle, 15, in second and Kyle Gill from East Essex Tri, 11, in third place.

First for the girls was Benfleet Running Club’s Hannah Mickleburgh-Gardham, 14, ahead of Hannah Spone and Rachel Doig.

Prizes were handed out by Commonwealth Games hurdles star Hayley McLean.

Since the first Kirste 5 in 2012, there has been £22,000 raised which has been handed to Macmillan Cancer Support and Bosom Pals Southend Breast Cancer Unit.