RUNNERS smiled through the rain as they completed the 13.1 mile Slough Half Marathon course on Sunday.

Keen runners took part in the much-anticipated event after months of preparation and training, supported by hundreds of volunteers and cheered on by countless residents.

The Half Marathon returned to the borough after an 18-year break and the exciting new course took in most of the town’s roads, starting and finishing in Salt Hill Park.

The race started 30 minutes later than scheduled, at 9.30am due to an earlier accident on the A4 Bath Road.

British 800m champion and Olympian, Shelayna Oskan-Clarke, was at the start line to sound the klaxon and set runners on their way.

Runners reported a fast course, with many recording personal best times.

All race finishers received a medal and goodie bag and trophies were presented to the top three male and female finishers, plus age group winners.

Scott Matthews of East Cheshire Harriers & Tameside Athletics Club claimed the men’s title in a time of one hour, 14 minutes and 47 seconds (1:14:47), more than three minutes ahead of James Silvey (1:18:03). John Burnett of Bracknell Forest Runners took third place in 1:19:32.

The women’s race was won by Jill Collett of Datchet Dashers in a time of 1:19:52, placing her fourth overall.

Second place went to Didi Spasova, who crossed the finish line in 1:33:13, with third place going to Jilly Raw of Datchet Dashers, who finished in 1:37:02.

Datchet Dasher Paul Woolley claimed the first men’s veteran category win taking the MV40 title in a time of 1:21:19.

David Meier took the MV50 prize in 1:26:14 and Mick Driver of Burnham Joggers won the MV60+ category in a time of 1:49:24.

Datchet Dashers continued their success when Helen Jones-Totays won the first women’s veteran prize in the WV40 category in a time of 1:42:01.

Penny Cutler of Handy Cross Runners took the WV50 title in a time of 1:43:19, and Elizabeth Annetts of Burnham Joggers / Runthrough UK claimed the WV60+ prize in 1:50:29.

Young runners and people wanting to take on a shorter course took part in the 5K Fun Run which began 15 minutes after the Slough Half Marathon, starting and finishing in Salt Hill Park, and including Baylis Park.

Councillor Rob Anderson, cabinet member for environment and leisure, said: “The Slough Half Marathon shone brightly through the wet conditions last weekend as we returned a great sporting event to our borough.

“Congratulations to everyone who took part, with many of our runners achieving impressive personal bests.

“Participants raised substantial funds for a variety of charities and completed some amazing personal challenges.

“A huge thank you to everyone who brought the Slough Half Marathon alive.”

"An event of this scale wouldn't have been possible without the support of an army of enthusiastic volunteers and the residents who came out in force to offer words of support, water and jelly babies.

“The Slough Half Marathon is a fantastic sporting event that showcases our great town and promotes Slough as a thriving centre for business and community.

"It helps to inspire local people of all ages to take up physical activity and become involved in a true community event.

“We’ll be back next year with another great event as early preparations begin for the 2019 Slough Half Marathon.”