IT was a double win for Bury as the town celebrated its second year hosting the 10k.

Hundreds of people braved a chilly Sunday morning to cheer on the runners hitting the town centre streets.

Bury was flooded with colour today as almost 2,000 participants took part in one of the region’s most popular charity road races.

And coming crossing the finish line first for both the men's and women's races were Bury's own runners. Ben Coop was the first across in a time of 32 minutes and 58 seconds.

The 25-year-old from Ramsbottom is a teacher at Greenmount Primary School and was cheered on by his family and year five pupils.

He said: "I'm really pleased, I came second last year so it's nice to get a win this time.

"My girlfriend is also taking part in the race which is great and I saw a few of the children from the school cheering me on."

Mr Coop was running for Bury Athletics, as was the first women to cross the line, Sophie Whittaker.

The 18-year-old lifeguard from Bury made it across in 38 minutes and 16 seconds.

She said: "I really wanted a win this time after coming second last year.

"It was a really good crowd going round, I really like the music and bands. It's such a good event for the town and great to have something like this here!"

She was followed by Emily Carr with a time of 39 mins 00 secs and Emma Richardson took third place in 40 mins 16 secs.

Mr Coop was followed by Danny Collinge who clocked 34mins 10 secs with Ian Carruthers taking third place with a time of 35 mins 11secs.

The Asda Foundation Bury 10K loops around the town centre, starting and finishing near the Rock retail and leisure venue.

Many runners were supporting a good cause of their own choice or one of the event’s partner charities, which this year were - Home-Start, Bury Hospice, the Joshua Wilson Brain Tumour Trust, Annabelle’s Challenge, Bury Involvement Group, Early Break Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

Brothers Luke and Jordan Harreld from Fairfield were aiming for a top 20 place in the race which they were running along with members of PT Fitness.

The team with ages ranging from 28 to their 50s, raised more than £1,600 for Bury Hospice.

Luke, aged 31, said: "We have been training for a few months and are really looking forward to the run."

Others were running less competitively, such as the Dalmia family from Rochdale.

Dad Sanjay, aged 50, mum Ritu, aged 47, and son Sanjush, aged 15, were taking part for the first time.

Mr Dalmia said: "We are doing it just for fun, to be part of the community and a bit of fitness.

"We have not set any time goals, we just want to complete it and will be happy to finish together."

Spectators also showed great support for all those taking part in the Arena Group Bury Family Fun Run, which was free for children aged between three and 14.

The Bury 10K was organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All in partnership with I Will If You Will (IWIYW), a fitness movement in Bury that’s helping women, girls and their families to be more active, more often. IWIYW is delivered by Bury Council in partnership with the community and was established with National Lottery funding form Sport England.

Lynne Preston, Run for All event manager, added: "We are enormously grateful to everyone whose hard work helped to make today’s run such a success, particularly the brilliant volunteers who gave up their time to ensure the runners had a safe and enjoyable event.