Sprinters, joggers and walkers have raised a record breaking £7,500 for charity at the 2012 Spire Bushey Quarter Marathon and Fun Runs.

Despite the temperamental weather on Sunday, more than 700 runners pounded the streets of Bushey as they competed in the event.

This year’s quarter marathon was organised by local running club David Lloyd Pacers following the retirement of John and Helen Hambleton, who stepped down after 25 years of arranging the event.

Lisa Trybus, Spire Bushey Hospital representative, which was one of the event’s main sponsors, said: "Looking at the huge number of competitors and spectators it would have been a real loss to the local community if this event hadn't taken place this year."

On the day itself more than 300 people entered the race, clearly encouraged out of bed and onto the start line in King George Recreation Ground by the early morning sunshine and the sixty different trophies up for grabs.

"It was really emotional seeing people of all ages queuing up in the park eager to get their entry in before I fired the starting gun," said Mark Fairclough, Help For Heroes representative, who not only got the 6.5 mile Quarter Marathon underway, but then ran it.

And 58 minutes later as the ex- serviceman crossed the finishing line to the applause of the enthusiastic crowd; his relief was clear as he said: "I never knew there were so many hills in Bushey."

Clearly, this wasn't a problem for the winner, 16-year-old Ben Rothford who completed the testing course in a time of 36.38 seconds followed by Mark Castelton in second place and Mike Dooley in third.

The first woman home was Jenny Maddocks in 43.44. With last year's winning team David Lloyd Pacers too busy organising the event to compete, it was left to Watford Harriers to collect the team prize.

The organisers' strategy of visiting local school assemblies to encourage them to take part paid off with a record number of children from two-year-olds to teenagers tackling the afternoon fun runs.

With encouragement from proud parents, every one of them finished their event and queued up to collect their medals and goody bags which contained free swimming vouchers from Bushey Grove Leisure Centre, as well as much needed supplies of sweets.

Euan Enright took the top spot in the 1.5 mile under 12 boys' race and Ella Joy in the girls. In the under 10s event, Joseph Yardon in the boys and Masie Phillips in the girls completed the 0.75 mile run round the park in the fastest times.

In the hotly contested school's events, Ashfield Junior repeated last year's success to retain the team trophies, with Sacred Heart School winning top spot for the largest number of participants.