One thousand runners took to the trails and paths of Blenheim Palace in glorious sunshine to compete in the Blenheim7k fun run last weekend.

While the runners went through their paces around the Palace grounds, spectators basked on deckchairs supplied by the Oxford Business Park, sponsors of the run, and watched the Rock Choir perform.

Nearly 200 children took part in the one-mile junior race including pupils from Marsh Gibbon Primary School who won the school team trophy for the third year running.

First boy was Nico Hartley in 5:53 and first girl Diane Fisher 6:35.

This year the 7k began with a wave for runners with their dogs who set off just before the main pack.

Sarah Airey, organiser of the race, said: “So many people were asking to run with their dogs, we thought that it would be good to have a separate wave for them. Next year, we will make it a new race for the event.”

The 7k race was won by Andrew Hennessy in 26:45 and Matilda Crown was the first woman in a time of 31:16.

The team award, presented by Jodie McNamara, community manager of the Oxford Business Park, was won by North Leigh Under 14 Football Team who were fundraising for the charity See Saw in memory of their coach who recently died of leukaemia in his 40s after at 20-year fight against the disease.

The four-mile trophies were won by Woodstock runners Sophie Carter and her partner Jonathan Creak in times of 31:13 and 26:53 respectively.

Sophie was running for the charity SSNAP which supports sick and premature babies and their parents at the John Radcliffe hospital after one of her twins spent time in the unit last summer, having been born with the cord around her neck.

Nick Trimble, fundraising for the charity SameYou, came from Manchester to compete and win the wheelchair trophy.

Nick was in an accident in 2014 while training for the Hackney half marathon and spent two years in hospital in London before returning to Stockport to spend more time in hospital there. Nick completed the course in 38:24.

The winners were presented with their trophies by Sarah Foster, managing partner at Freeths Solicitors, main sponsor of the event.

Sarah ran the 7k course with Team Freeths and her daughter Milly.

The Results

7k first male: Andrew Hennessy 26:45

7k first female: Matilda Crown 31:16

7k first team: North Leigh Under 14 Football Team (team 1)

4 miles first buggy male: Jonathan Creak 26:53

4 mile first buggy female: Sophie Carter 31:13

4 miles first wheelchair: Nick Trimble 38:24

1 mile first male: Nico Hartley 5:53

1 mile first female: Diane Fisher 6:35

1 mile first school team: Marsh Gibbon Primary School