HUNDREDS of runners enjoyed a unique opportunity to race through the Duke of Westminster’s Eaton Park with a 10k event in aid of a worthy cause.

The event was supported by a number of mainly local companies alongside main sponsors, law firm Brabners, and saw about £20,000 raised for the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC), the initiative of the late Duke of Westminster to create a 21st century state of the art clinical rehabilitation centre to succeed Headley Court.

A total of 468 runners went the distance in the 10k event – the youngest being 15 years old and the oldest aged 69, with 122 children’s fun runners taking part in the mile-long event.

The male winner was John Prichard Taylor in a time of 35 minutes, 46 seconds and the female winner was Sarah Black-Smith in a time of 41 minutes 55 seconds.

Andy Reid was the DNRC ambassador on the day who handed out medals and gave the runners an inspiring speech before the start of the run.

Speaking on behalf of the Eaton Estate Alex Siddell, who led the team that organised the run, said:

“ We are so grateful to all the people who entered – the individuals and families and the generosity of our sponsors all of which made it such a fun event and which raised £20,000 for the DNRC.

“This project is close to all our hearts because it was the idea of the late Duke of Westminster and it is fantastic to see his initiative coming to fruition at the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Centre near Loughborough.”