IT has been hailed one of the country's top 10km races and this year the main attraction at the Poole Festival of Running proved to be a sell-out success.

In it's 21st year, some 1,000 competitors lined up for the two-lap course at Poole Park.

And for the first time ever there was no room for slow coaches with all the allocated places filled a week before the Daily Echo-backed event even got underway.

Normally organisers accept between 180 and 200 runners on the day but this year proved so popular disappointed athletes had to be turned away.

As in previous years the festival kicked off in superb style with around 1,000 youngsters competing in any one of six minithon races.

These ranged from one-mile events for children as young as eight up to a five-kilometre competition for athletes aged between 15 and 17.

Then as the presentation ceremony wound up it was time for the competitors in the 10km to fasten their trainers, stretch their legs and secure their spot on the starting line.

It was a race for all with everyone from international athletes to fun runners pounding the park's pavements.

And despite battling against gusty winds the winning finishers' times only narrowly missed the milestone 30 minutes for males and 34 minutes for females.

First to cross the finishing line was the Kenyan international William Musyoki in a time of 31.21. He was closely followed by the Ethiopian runner Lassa Tadesse in 31.46. Bournemouth AC runner Mark Hargreaves was the first local runner to complete the course claiming third place in a time of 31.54.

In the women's event a storming run by Rowan Smith from Scarborough AC saw her take the honours in a time of 34.02. Vicky Pincombe from Bideford AC secured second in 34.44 and Bournemouth AC runner Louise Damen finished third in 34.49.

Athletes taking part in the Goadsby and Harding and HJ Cole and Sons-backed event were asked to collect sponsorship which will go towards the Fiona Appleyard Appeal at Victoria School.