Thousands of runners pounded the streets in the 2007 Swindon Half Marathon and fun runs .

The events have been hailed as one of the most successful to date.

More than 2,000 people tackled the Swindon Half Marathon's 13-mile course, which took them along Marlborough Road, up to the top of Liddington Hill, through Wanborough before coming back down Pipers Way to the finishing line outside Nationwide Headquarters.

The runners set off around the hilly route after Swindon Mayor Michael Barnes sounded the starting hooter.

Among the hundreds of runners who completed the race was Julie Comer, of Wootton Bassett.

She made it around the course in two hours and 19 minutes.

"It is so well organised," said the 43-year-old, who is the organiser of the woman's running network in Swindon.

"It is hard, but good. I've done this event three times now and I'm doing the Bath Half Marathon next year."

Phil Davis was delighted with his two hours and 12 minute finish.

"It is faster than I've done it in four years," said the 50-year-old, of West Swindon.

"It is a tough course with all the hills, but it is definitely one of the best organised races around here. It is good news for Swindon."

And for 68-year-old Tony Griffith, completing the race was particularly special.

"I had a heart attack and double heart bypass 12 weeks ago, so I am especially pleased to be here," said Tony, of Bradford-on-Avon.

"I finished in two hours and 12 minutes and overall I'm happy with how it went.

"It is an excellent course in Swindon, much better than Bath and Bristol."

The first runner across the line was Gary O'Brien, of Swindon, in the men's section and Shauna Crombey-Hicks of Winchester, in the women's.

The Nationwide-sponsored event, which is now in its fourth year, raises money for the Prospect Hospice.

Race director Steve Connelly said that it had been a good day.

"It's gone very well and we have had a lot of people taking part as well as helping out," he said.

Last year 2,600 people took part in the race, raising more than £40,000.

Steve said they were still waiting for the final number of runners taking part.

"On Friday we had about 1,700 people signed up but we a lot of people entered on the day, which is great," he said.

"We had more than 2,000 runners, but we'll have to wait to see if we beat last year's figures.

"We could have raised any amount of money as this year the runners are giving their sponsorship directly to the Prospect Hospice, so they will let us know the grand total."