Runners at this year’s Richmond RUNFEST raised a record amount for charities and local community groups.

Last year's event raised £550,000, but that total was surpassed this year by almost £100,000. Since the first event in 2013, the event has raised over £2 million. There were almost 10,000 finishers across the weekend this year, making it the largest event to date.

This was helped by the introduction of a new 5K at Old Deer Park, which contributed to a record number of finishers. A total of £630,000 was raised from the weekend.

Race Director, Tom Bedford said: “I would like to say a big thank you to Great Ormond Street Hospital for allowing us to officially use a ‘Peter Pan’ theme, which certainly added many smiles to the best ever Richmond RUNFEST to date. Our record amount of money raised for charities would not happen without our hundreds of volunteers and local community groups, so a big thank you and Merry Christmas to them.

"In a year that’s seen a slight decrease in event registrations nationally across running events, we continue to sell out in record times. We are already massively up on last year’s numbers and expect to sell out even earlier this year. We have some big plans for 2019 that we look forward to sharing with you in the New Year, along with next year’s headline Charity of the Year."

Next year’s event will continue to have the 5k, 10k and Kids’ Mile on Saturday, September 14 and the Half Marathon, Full Marathon and Family Mile on Sunday, September 15.

For more information and how to enter the 2019 event, visit www.richmondrunfest.com.