EVERYONE came running – from toddlers to pensioners – from far and wide for last weekend’s Hook road race.

The first fun run, 25 years ago, attracted just 200 people. Fast forward a quarter of a century to last Sunday and 1,200 darted over the starting line.

For many it was the culmination of weeks of training. There were fixtures fitted to all ages and abilities; a two-mile fun run, a two-mile road race, 10 kilometre and 10-mile courses, as well as a toddlers’ race.

The biggest race of the day – the 10-mile road race – was something of a homecoming for the area’s most famous runner. London Marathon and Commonwealth Games athlete Charlotte Purdue returned to the scene of her record-breaking run almost a decade ago.

Back then Charlotte, who grew up in Hook, set a course record, which has yet to be broken, in the two-and-a-half-mile fun run.

This year, taking part in a considerably longer and more gruelling race, she said: “I decided to run the Hook fun run this year as a training run. I am only just getting back into training after taking a break following the marathon in London.

“I won’t be racing as such, but running around enjoying the event and being back in Hook.”

The 24-year-old’s time was one hour 40 seconds, placing her seventh overall – and the only woman in the top 20.

The winner of the race was David Meacock from Basingstoke and Mid Hants Athletics Club, who finished in 54 minutes 47 seconds.

But the feel-good trophy of the day went to Dennis Devey from Farnborough. At 82 years young, Mr Devey was the oldest competitor to cross the finishing line in the 10-kilometre road race. His achievement earned him the coveted Mary Dearlove Trophy.

The trophies and medals for the category winners were given out by Charlotte Purdue, as the sun shone bright over a brilliant afternoon in Hook.

This year’s race saw a new starting line. The organisers moved it from Hook School to Hartlett’s Park, because of the building work at the school.

It was a far cry from the first fun run in the village in 1991. That was dreamt up by two school governors, Graham Kingsbury and John Lambert.

They were looking for a way to celebrate 150 years of Hook School. They also wanted to raise money for a community room at St John’s Church.

That fun run was a modest affair. By contrast, there were 1,375 entries for last weekend’s races, and 1,100 of them managed to finish.

Over the years the event has raised more than £105,000 for local charities.

This time the main sponsor was William Grant, the spirits company with offices at Bartley Wood Business Park in Hook. Other local organisations such as Hook Chiro and Hook Schools Parents Association also helped out on the day.

The family-run chiropractors offered help with posture, and massages for achy runners. And the parents association set up camp and offered refreshments.

On the official website for Road Races and Fun Run, the organisers wrote: “It was a perfect day for running. The atmosphere was buzzing and everyone was smiling.”