FIFTEEN minutes after 800 runners set off for last week’s Grunty Fen half marathon some 100 youngsters-and a few adults including mums and dads- took part in a one kilometre fun run.

FIFTEEN minutes after 800 runners set off for last week’s Grunty Fen half marathon some 100 youngsters-and a few adults including mums and dads- took part in a one kilometre fun run.

The race had been billed to take place over a mile but the Indian summer conditions at Witchford prompted organisers to reduce the race in size for the record number turning out.

Lesley Wright, secretary and assistant coach for Ely Runners junior section, said: “Although very hot we feel the race was a great success.”

She thanked Editor John Elworthy for starting proceedings- his fog horn used for starting the half marathon earlier was replaced at the fun run by a whistle.

“Last year we found the foghorn frightened some of the younger runners” said Lesley.

Prizes were handed out at the end to the winners as well as commemorative medals.

Among those taking part was Jamie McCullough, 30, from Main Street, Little Thetford, who is both deaf and blind.

A green belt Pakua (martial arts) trainee he was accompanied on his run by Pakua master Rodolfo Oliva of Ely.

Jamie has Usher’s syndromes and has been deaf since birth and has gradually lost most of his site.

Since gaining a BTec in art and returning to Cambridge for his degree, Jamie had become widely recognised for his artwork and once featured in an exhibition in Ely.