THE popular annual Headley fun run returned for another year on Monday.

Runners took on the five-mile, multi-terrain course around local lanes, starting and finishing at the Headley sports pavilion on Mill Lane.

This year a group of friends and family came together to run in memory of Mark Brodrick, one of the main helpers at the event, who died last year.

They also raised more than £500 for charity.

Mark Brodrick grew up and lived in Headley before moving to Haslemere. He was a regular face, helping his father Alec with the organisation of the annual Headley fun run.

For many years Mark was the reliable timekeeper.

But last May was a double tragedy for the Brodrick family when Mark died suddenly aged 56, just two days after the loss of his mother.

This year was the first time Mark was not present to help at the event, but a team of runners under the banner “Brodders Plodders” - made up of family and friends and led by his daughter Lucy and sister Sally - donned their running shoes to raise money for Heart Research UK, and to pay tribute to a much-missed father, brother and friend.

Sally, who travelled from Canada for the event, said before the run: “He was always giving his time to help and support others, and his help with being here every year as timekeeper is typical.

“We know the team running the event will miss him, and he was one of those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, helping to make sure everything went well and everyone had fun.

“Many of us have not run for a long time so it has been special to get out and remember him at something he was so involved with only last year.”

“We hope to raise lots of money for the charity, but mainly we are running to say how much we miss him and to say ‘thank you’ to the community who supported my dad and the family in difficult times last year,” Sally added.

* To get involved, visit heartresearch.org.uk/events/our-local-fundraisers.