A hot and breezeless day awaited teams and spectators for the north-east’s best known fun run on Sunday.
Thermometers wilted and pavements cracked for the sixth installment of the Forfar Marafun a biennial event but a mixture of hardened and hardy runners did not let the stifling heat get in the way of their task.
One of the most anticipated events in the Angus calendar sees a mix of professional and amateur teams run up and down the town’s streets for good causes.
Organisers Forfar Rotary Club welcomed teams from all over Courier country, many of whom were running to raise money for their own clubs as well as charities.
The Jacqui Wood Cancer Centre at Ninewells Hospital will be the main recipient of money raised from this year’s event.
In the men’s category, Fife team and 2010 winners Fuel The Lactic Fib retained their title in a time of two hours, 38 minutes and 57 seconds.
Forfar Road Runners’ ladies team won their section in a time of three hours, 40 minutes and 48 seconds.’Heartening’ dedicationThe mixed medal went to a Guild Homes team in a time of three hours, 16 minutes and 30 seconds, while the Ladies of Strathmore Primary School won the half-Marafun in two hours, 10 minutes and four seconds.
Organiser Ian Findlay said: ”We are very privileged to have such a great turnout of people and runners on such a great day.
”You couldn’t plan for the weather, no matter how much we tried.”
He added: ”A total of 31 teams entered and in this heat it is heartening to see the dedication we’ve seen today.
”I’d like to thank the sponsors, businesses and people who have worked so hard to make this happen.”
Mr Findlay said the extension of the register to teams fundraising for their own causes had brought in some new faces.