A record number of runners ensured today's 10th and final Paul Trigwell 10-mile charity run around the Isle of Sheppey was a runaway success.

Fiona Trigwell, widow of the late Sheppey headmaster who the run was named after, said: “I was overwhelmed by the response. Islanders came out in their thousands to celebrate 10 years of this successful event which has raised at least £150,000 for Sheppey children.”

She added: “Paul would not have believed it. He would never have thought so many people would raise so much money in his name.”

Although Mrs Trigwell says red-tape has forced her team of helpers to abandon the event, she says the charity will carry on.

Other organisations, however, are hoping to follow in her footsteps and keep the Island run alive.

Round Tabler Matt Bromley, who became the first person to complete the course in a wheelchair this year, said: “It would be good if several Sheppey organisations such as the Round Table and the Island’s Rotary Clubs could work together to stage this event. It would be a great shame if it stopped.”

Nearly 200 walkers, at least three dressed as cakes, assembled on the seafront at Leysdown for an 8.30am start. Mrs Trigwell sent them on their way with a blast of her horn.

Fellow organiser Frank Dunn, who had been one of Mr Trigwell’s teachers at St George’s Middle School, had already completed the run in reverse earlier in the morning checking all road signs were in place.

The more experienced 10-mile runners left Leysdown at 10am. The course took them through Leysdown into Warden Bay, over Donkey Hill to Warden Point and along Plough Lane to Chequers. They went along Baldwin Road and onto the cliffs.

At Minster Leas near The Beach Hotel a record number of 424 family runners and walkers were waiting to join the early-birds for the final two-mile leg along the beach into Sheerness for the finish at the sand pit in Beachfields.

The first 10-mile runner home was teacher Jim Allchin, 30, whose parents live in Lymouth Drive, Minster. He completed the course in a personal best of 57mins 12secs.

He said: “I was determined to complete the final Paul Trigwell Run in under an hour. But it was very tough. The heat was crippling, especially along Plough Lane where there was little shade. It was one of the toughest three miles I have ever run.”

But his perseverance paid off. He even beat his former schoolmate Anthony Jackson, also 30, who comes from Sheppey but now lives in Twickenham. The pair both went to Borden Grammar School, Sittingbourne, and both ran together in the London Marathon three weeks ago.

Anthony had won the Island race for the past three times and is still the course champion, holding the record at 53mins 54secs. He finished third. He said: “I had been hoping to retain my title. But at least it is in good hands.”