The course record for the Sheerness Lifeboat Run was broken at this year’s fundraiser.

More than 30 adults and children set off from Family Amusements in Neptune Terrace, Sheerness, along the seafront on Sunday.

James Allchin set a new best time of 28min 16sec on the five-mile route, beating the previous marker of 28min 50sec, while the first woman home was Cindy Butler-Hills, who finished in 36min 31sec.

In the two-mile course, the first boy over the finish line was Reece Hancock and the first girl was Charlotte Tyrrell.

Participants in the shorter run turned around near the Ship on Shore pub, while the longer one went to the end of Minster Leas and back before both finished at the start line.

The run was started by coxswain Robin Castle and afterwards there was a presentation of trophies and medals at the lifeboat station in the docks.

Second coxswain at the Sheerness station Paul Jarvis, 54, who organises the run with his partner every year, was among those taking part.

He said: “There was a north-easterly breeze which made it difficult running all the way out to The Leas but when you turned around you had the wind on your back a bit. It was very hot and nice and dry.

“I’m quietly pleased with the turnout because the forms seemed to go out really slowly.”

It is hoped once all the sponsorship is collected the race will have raised more than £1,000 for the RNLI.

The annual fundraiser began more than 20 years ago.

Sheerness Lifeboat operations manager Colin Washford thanked the sponsors for their donations of medals and trophies.

He said: "We yet again would like to thank our sponsors Allwick Patterns, Creasey Castings Ltd, and Eddie Palmer at Alloy Coatings for the magnificent trophies.

"Many thanks to Adam Wicketts for the presentation of the awards at Sheerness Lifeboat Station."

* More pictures in this week's Sheerness Times Guardian