AS RAIN poured down, runners flooded the streets of Oswestry for the town's first 10k.

More than 1,000 runners, from far and wide, descended on the town and braved the less-than-desirable weather to take part in the challenging run – some achieving personal bests, some undertaking their first running event.

Oswestry's Mayor, Councillor John Price, was at the starting line to sound the klaxon, and described the event as 'wonderful'.

"It's just brilliant isn't it?," said Cllr Price. "All these people here from all over the country taking part in Oswestry 10k.

"Rain, hail or shine they turn out for Oswestry.

"I must thank everyone in involved."

Former Marches pupil, Jimmy Kershaw, who came third, was delighted to be back in his hometown for the race.

"As a home race it’s great to finish in the top three and to run past my old high school the Marches," he said.

"To race on the streets I grew up running and riding in, as a triathlete, meant a lot to me.

"It’s a shame I couldn’t win but the legs were tired from a half marathon last week."

And in second, was another local lad – 18-year-old Jack Pickett – who managed to achieve his personal best (PB).

"I ran that in just under 32 minutes which is my PB," said Jack, who was running for Wolves and Bilston Athetics Club but now lives in Ellesmere.

"The course was harder than I expected but I did 10 seconds better than my previous PB which is great."

First lady to cross the finish line was Claire Martin from Telford who completed the run in just over 37 minutes.

"I'm 45 now and it's a tough course, but I did better than I expected," she said.

"It's a nice course out in the countryside and it's well organised.

"I'm pleased with my time."

And one person, who had an even more challenging run, was Scott Woods from Shrewsbury, running for Gone Tabbing.

Scott managed to cross the line in under an hour, with the added weight of an 18kg army backpack.