THEY came, they saw and they pounded the pavements in their thousands.

As the sun shone on Southampton yesterday a record number took part in the ABP Southampton Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k.

Ten thousand people took part and even the unseasonably hot weather didn’t hold them back from raising an estimated £400,000 for charity.

Around 30,000 spectators cheered them on with more than 850 volunteers helping the event go smoothly.

It is believed only one runner suffered from the heat and was taken to hospital.

Organisers say this year’s event was so popular that they’re considering enlarging it in 2019.

The event also boosted the city’s economy, with an estimated £1m spent on hotel stays, dining out, parking and shopping.

Scores of local businesses joined forces with Go! Southampton to offer discounts and in some places runners were queuing onto the street to get their hands on free pizza, coffee and alcohol-free beer.

The mayor, Les Harris presented the ABP Southampton full marathon award to Richard Waldron from Southampton Athletics Club who won in a time of 2 hours 40 minutes and 46 seconds. The first woman was Orla Tuohy from Grange-Fermoy Athletics Club in 2:58:55.

The Half Marathon prize went to Aiden Lennan from Winchester who finished in 1:13:46 and Simone Mitchell from Winchester and District Athletics Club who was the first female home in 1:20:39.

Victory in the 10k went to William Bryan from Itchen Spitfires running club with a time of 34:13. Ashley Stone was the first female in 38:07.

It wasn’t just grown-ups making the podium. Luc Pearce, 14, from Chandler’s Ford won the one-mile fun run which saw 516 children and their parents take part.

The mascot mile - a race between giant furry mascots from local businesses and charities - was won by Chip the Beaver from the 29th Immaculata Scout Group.

Nikki Rees, one of the race directors, said: “The number of people taking part in the full marathon distance rose significantly this year so we’re looking at allowing even more people to take part next year.”

“We also saw unprecedented interest in the 10k, with all the places full weeks before the event. It’s early days but we’re exploring creating 20 per cent more 10k spaces next year. If that happens it’ll make ours the biggest 10k in Hampshire, possibly even the south.”