A RECORD number of athletes signed up to run in the Southend Half Marathon yesterday.

Around 2,400 people took part in the main 13.1-mile race with a further 300 completing the BTMK 3k fun run. And that helped to raise close to £60,000 for Havens Hospices.

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve been able to raise so much money,” said event fund-raiser Judy Grocott. “The course was fantastic again and we're very grateful to everyone who played a part in making the day such a success.”

The men’s half marathon was won by Paul Martelleti of the Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club in a time of 1 hour, seven minutes and 55 seconds. The first female runner to cross the finishing line was Belgrave Harriers’ Sam Amend in 1:20:10.

The winner of the BTMK fun run was Southend Athletics Club’s Josh Mann for the second year in succession while 10-year-old Sinead Clark, of Benfleet Running Club, was the first girl to finish.

Full report, reaction and results in tomorrow’s Echosport.