Sittuk ahead from the start

Organisers, course volunteers, marshall and a myriad of emergency services personnel were up with the larks to ensure that water stations were operating, the route was clear of traffic and there were no hazards to cause problems during the day.

Between 1,500 and 1,600 runners were expected to take part in the race, which got underway at 8.30am at the Everglades, which had reopened after last week’s bomb attack, and as the runners streamed into Newbuildings a team of volunteers kept the roads clear and handed hundreds of bottles of water to the participants as they made their way back into the city.

From the outset Kenya’s Freddy Sittuk’s built up an impressive lead.

It was not long, however, before runners were streaming into the village, and returning back along Victoria Road for the first of the water stations at the layby.

To watch a video of the first stage of the race click on the video link above.