DOZENS of families enjoyed the sunshine at this year’s Charmouth Challenge and fun run.

Hundreds of runners stepped out in the scorching sun to raise money for Charmouth Primary School.

The annual event, organised by parents of pupils, collected more than £5,000 for the school to subsidise swimming lessons and trips.

More than 320 runners took part in the eight-mile Challenge, around 130 completed the two-mile fun run and 40 took on the mini challenge at three miles.

Organiser Karen Southcott, whose daughter Freya is a pupil at the school, said: “It was a huge success and obviously the weather was very, very kind to us on the day.

“It was one of the biggest and best we have ever had.

“We had quite a big school fete as well which was hugely well attended, it was great to see so many people there.

“There were all sorts of fun things for people to do - football, Tai Chi, dancing and balloon modelling.”

She added: “It was cancelled for the first time last year because of the awful weather and this year was the complete opposite and enjoyed by all.

“I think a lot of people were dreading the race because of the heat but they found it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be.

“Fortunately no one suffered too much in the heat and we didn’t have anyone who needed to see our first-aiders.”

There were three distances – the Charmouth Challenge itself at eight miles, the mini challenge three and the 30th anniversary fun run two miles.

The winner of the Challenge was Ceri Rees with 51 minutes 56 seconds, the mini Challenge was James Cooke in 22 minutes 22 seconds and the fun run was Finn Musgrove in 13 minutes three seconds.

The Charmouth Challenge is renowned as the most southerly fell race in England and attracts entrants from all over the country.

The race is mapped over eight miles of woodland, stone tracks and grassland, with many hurdles such as stiles and gates.