ALISON RENNIE

Paisley town centre was filled with thousands of runners yesterday as the annual 10k road race and fun run took place.

The popular event saw a total of 3,431 runners pounding the streets of Paisley. And crowds of supporters braved the wet weather to cheer on their loved ones around the route, which started and finished in County Square.

The event is organised by Renfewshire Leisure and sponsored by sports and outdoors retailer Decathlon. This year’s official charity partner was the armed forces veterans’ charity, Erskine.

Many runners in both races raised money for their own charities, clubs and good causes close to their hearts with several entire football teams of youngsters completing the 3k fun run.

This year’s Paisley 10k race had more than £2,000 in prize money up for grabs and trophies were presented to boys and girls fun run winners, aged seven and under, eight to 12 and 12 to 15-yearolds.

There were 1,983 runners taking part in the 10k race. The men’s race winner was Sean Fontana, from Inverclyde AC, in a time of 31.40 minutes. John Bell, from Invercyde AC, was second with a time of 31.46 minutes and third was Alasdair McLeod, from Shettleston Harriers in 32.19 minutes.

The women’s 10k race winner was Morag Millar, from Central AC, with a time of 35.26 minutes. Second was Gemma Rankin, from Kilbarchan AAC, in 35.47 minutes and third was Lorna Young, from Leeds City AC in 35.54 minutes.

The fun run saw 1,448 take part in the smaller route around the town centre.

Chairperson of Renfrewshire

Leisure, Councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes, said: “Once again the Paisley 10k has attracted a high calibre of athlete along with hundreds of other runners who have been training hard for months.

“And it was great to see so many fun runners of all ages pounding the streets of Paisley with lots of money being raised for various charities and good causes.

“The event is a great day for everyone involved, especially the families who take part in the races, or come along to support the runners.”

 See tomorrow’s Express for Fun Run pictures and a list of the top 100

10k finishers .