THEY were young and not so young. Fit and not so fit. But they were all there for one good reason.

Determined dads and lads from in and around Basingstoke ran, walked, jogged and sweated their way around the 5km Dads & Lads course on Wednesday evening.

While there were a few running fanatics, the majority of the men admitted that the women in their life had badgered them into the run to prove they could match the enthusiasm of Basingstoke's girls in the popular annual ladies Race for Life.

Whatever their motivation, the competitive spirit was truly on show during an energetic warm up led by a fitness instructor. After a few star jumps and "karate kid" style kicks, a stream of men of all shapes and sizes headed out into the countryside to show what they were made of.

Dads & Lads was the name, and the cross-generational theme was epitomised by the beaming faces of granddad and grandson Tommy Millar, 60, and Robert Smith, six, who jogged around the course hand in hand.

"It was really good fun," said the duo at the finish line.

Setting a cracking pace on the chilly evening, despite being one of the oldest runners in the race, was Tom Shilling, 77, from Old Basing.

"I was cold, but the atmosphere was fantastic. People were talking to each other for encouragement all the way round," said Tom, who has years of marathon-running experience.

Roger Coles, 39, from Bramley, was game for the challenge, even though he has just one leg.

"My daughter did the Race for Life which encouraged me to get involved - I think that more people should," said Roger.

He added: "It was a lot harder than I thought it would be as I had a stone in my shoe!"

Lee Davis, 15, from Kempshott Lane, Basingstoke, had intended to run the course - but that was before he broke his leg playing football.

His team-mates from the Southampton FC supporters club came to his rescue by pushing Lee around the course in a wheelchair - and he still made it home in less than an hour.

"I will definitely run the race next year when my leg is better," he said.

Raith Munro ran as part of a 17-strong Basing-stoke council team, and his kilt and sporran provided an eye-catching sight as he crossed the finish line.

"I wore my kilt because my shorts were in the wash," he joked.

"The council team took part as a challenge. We wanted to match our women's team who take part in Race for Life."

Another team determined to beat the girls were the men from Trinity Aerospace in Basingstoke.

"We heard that the initial response from the men of Basingstoke had been a bit slow, and we didn't want to be put to shame!" they said.

Pictures from the Run 4 Fun will be on display in The Gazette's Church Street office.