HUNDREDS of men and boys formed a band of brothers as they teamed up to run, trot or walk for a single good cause.

The ninth Alberto Culver Run4Fun4Men saw generations of men uniting to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

A total of 1,053 entrants took part in the 2010 event at Down Grange Sports Complex on May 5. While the turnout was 140 down on last year, the organisers still hope that the fundraising total could exceed £40,000.

Thanks to the support of Chineham-based Alberto Culver, all the money that is raised will go to Cancer Research UK for medical research into cancers that affect men.

More than £300,000 has been raised since the race started in 2002.

Co-organiser June Balcombe, who founded the event with Jan Lefley, said: “There has been such a brilliant atmosphere here tonight. And it has been great to see granddads, dads and their sons all running together for one cause.”

Mrs Lefley said she was pleased with the turnout, but wished more of the entrants would register in advance instead of leaving it until the last minute.

Those lining up behind the start line certainly offered some colourful sights, including sumo wrestlers and superheroes and two Power Rangers head-to-toe in coloured spandex. Others were running wearing the names of loved ones lost to cancer.

The 5km event – which got under way after a warm-up session – also saw a range of abilities and ages take part. A group from Horizons, a school in Tadley for autistic youngsters, pounded the course, and the oldest entrant was 83-year-old David Cockerill, of Trinidad Close, Popley.

Injuries did not stop several good sports from taking part. The last two over the line were Steve Morris, 25, from Oakridge, Basingstoke, who twisted his ankle before the race, while plucky Pete Bennett, 24, of Doswell Way, Oakridge, hobbled to the end with a knee injury received while playing American football with the Hampshire Thrashers.

For Richard Bond, 36, of Britten Road, Brighton Hill, Basingstoke, an ankle injury meant he could not run – but he made it round thanks to his colleagues from Mars Drinks, in Wade Road, Basingstoke. They carried him on a stretcher.

First across the line was Jonathan Bradford, of Kempshott Lane, Kempshott, Basingstoke, who clocked a time of 16 minutes 35 seconds.

The 18-year-old, who is a member of Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club and has taken part four times before, said: “Obviously, this is good practice for me, but it is also a race for an important charity.”

Coming in second was Louie Penny, from Hannington, in 16 mins 59 secs. The 17-year-old said: “I have been doing it for the last six years – it is a great event.”

Alberto Culver HR team leader Linda Aitken said: “This is a great event that brings the family together, and it has just been going from strength to strength.”

Sarah Williamson of Cancer Research UK said: “We are so grateful to those taking part and the Basingstoke Run4Fun4Men committee who helped organise it – people like them are the life-blood of what we do.”