NEARLY 600 runners pounded the rain soaked streets of the Vale of Leven on Saturday as the latest 10k fun run took place.

A good turnout of residents lined the streets and gave great backing to the intrepid runners as they sought early supremacy in the popular annual race.

In the end, though, it was a one-two from Shettleston Harriers as Tewodle Mengisteab crossed the finishing line first in a time of 32mins 30secs – just ahead of club-mate Paul Sorry in a time of 33mins 47secs.

Arriving home in third place was Giffnock North AAC member Chris Greenhalgh, timed at 35mins 10secs.

For the Ladies, Shona Docherty arrived home in first place, timed at 39mins 6secs, closely followed by Jennifer Telford of SPSAAC in 41mins 33secs.

Emma Baxter, of Glenpark Harriers, was the third female to cross the line in a time of 41mins 50secs.

In terms of the Male Veteran V50 race, Kilbarchan AAC’s Donald Petrie rolled back the years to cross the line first, timed at 38mins 49secs, followed by Gordon Dryden (39mins 43secs) and Malcolm Finlayson (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) in 41mins 44secs.

In the female veterans V50 event Fiona Greer came home first in a time of 44mins 14secs, followed by Lorna Coyle (Greenock Glenpark Harriers) in 49mins 6secs and third placed Sarah Wilson who also came home in 49mins 6secs.

There was cheer for a local runner as Dumbarton AAC’s Lewis McCulloch finished second in the junior race, behind winner Josh McDermott, with Cameron Brisbane third.

And in the V60 event top male was Andy Law, while Beth McLafferty won the women’s title.

The event was hailed another resounding success .

“WD Leisure is extremely proud of delivering a hugely successful Vale of Leven 10k and Fun Run on Saturday. We had 695 entrants, which is a fantastic number for our first year managing the event. The weather wasn’t very kind to us, but it didn’t stop over one thousand children, families and adults participating in the fun run and 10k. Thanks to all participants for being so dedicated to the events.

Alan Crawford, sports development manager at West Dunbartonshire Leisure, said: "Angus MacDonald, Laura Young and Gayle Brown from our Sports Development team worked extremely hard to maintain the standard set by Polaroid and I believe that they achieved that aim.

"I’d like to thank all of our other staff and all of the 60 volunteers that came out in the rain to help deliver our events.

"The feedback from runners has been highly positive and we consistently received comments on how fantastic the volunteers were both on the course and at the main event site.

"So a huge thank you has to be given to our volunteers as without their enthusiasm and motivation to encourage and congratulate all participants, we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver the event to the standard required.

"We also had fantastic support from RAYNET, Red Cross, Sea Cadets and Police Cadets, so thanks to all involved from these groups. We hope to see everyone back again next year…. with better weather!"