ONE of the highlights in the Furness running calendar has gone down as a great success as scores of athletes turned up to pound through Dalton.

On Friday night Dalton was filled with eager runners ready to take part in the 2017 Dalton Charter 10km.

Veteran runners and enthusiastic first-timers made up the diverse crowd of people taking part in the event, now in its 28th year.

Dalton's mayor Councillor Ann Thurlow lent her services throughout the event, starting the races and supporting the runners as they made their way around the course.

She said: "It's an important part of the running calendar, people seem to come from all over to run in it, sometimes we get charity groups running as well.

"There were an awful lot of people there, and it's not an easy race to do."

The 10km race had several age categories for runners to choose from ensuring it is as inclusive as possible, no matter what your age or running experience.

There was also a one mile fun run put on for younger runners.

Race director Brian Baines was pleased at the turnout this year, particularly in the junior race whose numbers increased threefold this year.

He said: "The juniors is very exciting, there's three times more than last year. Athletics is a very in sport at the moment so it was a really good turnout from the kids' side."

This year close to 180 athletes competed across senior and junior levels.

In the adult race 118 runners took part, and there were 60 junior runners.

This year the winners posted some impressive times. The overall winner was Ross Campbell of Barrow and Furness Striders, completing the 10km in 33.43.

The winner of the female racers was Katie Waite, also of the Striders posting a time of 40.42.

Of the veteran class, the men's winner was Jason Parker of Preston Harriers who recorded a time of 35.00 exactly, the top female veteran was Karen Maggio-Poyntz who ran the 10km in 46.10.

Laura Brown who runs for the Striders won the girls' junior race, and Hoad Hill Harrier James Corbishley the boys'.

Mr Baines said there was a real party atmosphere throughout the event, which spoke of the true spirit within the running community.

"I'm pleased it all went really smoothly and there were no incidents. There was a party atmosphere, it's a chance for everyone to get together from the different clubs, we all put much in and get it sorted out."

Cllr Thurlow added that she was happy to see that the event was still going on strong after so many years, saying: "It's a really good thing for the town, Dalton has lost quite a lot of things in recent years, but it's good that some traditions keep going."

Read more from Dalton:

Dalton gym muscles in on the competition circuit

A dementia awareness group has made its way to a South lakes care home

The Dalton Library is set to be turned into flats after a planning application was submitted