Thousands of runners set off in the bright sunshine for Exeter's 30th Great West Run.
The top end of Sidwell Street was packed with over 3,000 runners and more spectators as the Lord Mayor of Exeter Councillor Percy Prowse sounded the klaxon to mark the start at 9am.
Loud cheering saw the runners off - but was not matched by a number of early morning workers in Whipton who found roads along the route had been closed off.
A number complained that the closures had started too early.
The race itself took competitors over Exe Bridges before turning right into Okehampton Road, at then Exwick .Once out of the city it was on to Stoke Woods,then along Prince of Wales Road,
Runners followed an out-and-back route along Pinhoe Road to the great support of spectators, finally joining Blackboy Road to finish back where they began at Sidwell Street, near the Odeon.
Among those taking part were Steve Gibson and Ben Street, who was running his first half marathon. The pair were raising money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Ben said: "I have been doing some training and it is a great day for a run"
David Hawker, Richard Terry for Hospiscare and David Bowyer, who was running for CLIC, came together at the Belmont Park meeting area.
Said David: "Richard and I have been training since January znd we've lost seven stone between us so that's a winner before we started. We are also hoping to take part in the Grizzly run in March."
Said Mr Bowyer: "I gave up smoking about two years ago so I thought I try this now."
Housing association worker Chris Watson, 43, had already raised £100 for the Axhayes Cats Protection and was looking to finish his first half marathon in around two hours.
Sister Alex and Deryn Spence were also on their first half marathon and were raising funds for Cancer Research.
Another first timer was Nolwenn Luke who was hoping six months hard training would serve her well as she ran for East Devon Cystic Fibrosis.
Emily Morrison, 17, from Ottery St Mary was being cheered on by her brother Ian, as she joined the other competitors.
"I have been training since June when I signed up for the run and I am hoping to come home in under two and a half hours."
An estimated 3,700 took part in what was the 30th GWR - a point noted by the Lord Mayor who said: "I can remember the first one because I was a police officer on the beat that day. Now, I am starting the race."
