Organisers have hailed the Bishops Cannings 5,000 metre dash as a success.

The annual race co-incided with St Mary’s Church fete held in the grounds of Bishops Cannings Primary School on Saturday.

There were 80 entrants in the dash, which is a unique event in the race calendar.

Organiser Francis Goddard said: “The dash is mostly off road and involves running up hills. It’s completely different to other races and it attracts runners who like the challenge.

“We get a hard core of runners who do it every year while this year half of the entrants had never done it before. People who complete it come in totally knackered but say it was worth it.”

Last year’s winner Simon Nott, 16, of Calne, won the event, in a time of 18 minutes and 49 seconds – 48 seconds faster than last year and only 28 seconds behind the course record.

However, three new record times were set. Derek Stevens, of All Cannings, who won the dash in 1988, set a new fastest time of 21.37 in the veteran 50 plus, Oliver Overend set a record for the boys of 23.02 while Lottie Colquhoun bagged the honours for the girls with 25.20.

Afterwards many of the runners visited the fete, which raised more than £2,000 for church funds.

Fete organiser Bob Smith thanked all the volunteers who took part and the businesses who donated raffle prizes.

He said: “It’s always amazing how much local businesses give.”