OVER 400 runners of all ages gathered in Charlton last weekend for this year’s Andover Foodbank Lake Run.

The 10k, 5k and 2k fun runs started and ended at Charlton Sports and Leisure Centre with routes that took in the scenery of Anton Lakes.

Steve Holder, a Hampshire firefighter who completed 20 marathons in 2016 as a tribute to his late wife who died following a long battle with breast cancer, opened the event and then went on to run the 10k in 41 minutes and 37 seconds.

Mayor of Test Valley councillor Carl Borg-Neal also took part in the 5k run before distributing the prizes.

This year’s youngest runner was 15-month-old Bertie North who completed the 2k fun run with the help of his father and sisters.

The first male runner home was John Cosgrove in 37 minutes and 44 seconds with Kate Towerton leading the women for the second year in succession, finishing in 40 minutes and 12 seconds. Ross Wayne and Abi Wollaston were the winners of the 5k race.

The team from Vitacress won the Andover Advertiser Fittest Company Cup followed by Simplyhealth and Office Depot. Frankie Arnold, 10, came home first in the fun run followed by Jack Searle, 11, in second.

Local companies including Vitacress, Simplyhealth, Alton Sports and Hampshire IT Solutions sponsored the event with runners receiving a medal and goody bag containing water donated by Asda and a cereal bar from Sainsbury’s.

Vitacress also provided Wild for Watercress Supershots.

Tony Reid, head of marketing at Vitacress, who took part in the event, said: “As a local business, it’s really important to us to be involved in community events. The Andover Lake Run is a fantastic, fun event which raises money for an important cause. I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who ran, supported or helped us give out watercress shots. The power shots certainly helped our team.”

Funds raised will go to Andover Foodbank.