GALLERY: Runners ignore rain and coronavirus to enjoy Stafford Half Marathon

There were concerns the annual event held in Stafford Market Square on Sunday would put off due to health reasons – but organisers decided to press ahead.

Runners, volunteers and spectators congregated in the town centre for the half marathon and the one mile fun run; organised by Freedom Leisure.

Spokeswoman for Freedom Leisure, Liz Hulse, said organisers had acted on advice from Public Health England before deciding the half marathon would take place as planned.

She said: "We are grateful for the support received from Stafford Borough Council, entrants, our marathon sponsors and volunteers who are behind our decision to go ahead but we do equally appreciate that some runners and spectators made a personal choice not to attend.

"We fully appreciate public concerns, press reports and social media comments about the spread of coronavirus and we reviewed our operational procedures and made changes to reflect the current situation."

WATCH: Stafford 10k runners set off

Mayor of Stafford Councillor Gareth Jones was there to watch the races begin, and said he was "very pleased" at the turnout.

"There was a fear it would not go ahead but we've been in line with government advice," he said. "I'm very pleased at how it's gone, there's been an excellent turnout. Everyone has seemed very excited."

Dan Lakin, age 36, from Stafford, took part in the fun run with his three-year-old son Jackson, and nephew Eli, age five. Jackson had gone all out for the occasion, like many fun runners, and had dressed up in a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume.

Dan said: "I think we would have been disappointed if it hadn't gone ahead. They were so excited to do it. There's no point panicking if we haven't been told to. I think it's probably put off a few people but it's still a really solid event."

Race adjudicator Mary Harding, who is also a coach of Wolverhampton & Bilston Athletics Club and has organised Wolverhampton Half Marathon for years, said she was pleased to see so many runners and spectators.

"I'm very pleased with the turnout," she said. "Everyone expected it to be cancelled. I think it has made an impact on people watching but not in terms of runners. It's always a nice atmosphere here and very well organised."

The winner of the men's half marathon was 38-year-old Lloyd Biddell, from Tamworth with a time of one hour and eight minutes.

"It's my first race since December due to injury and I'm worried it could be my last for a while with everything going on," he said. "At the end of the day when you're out on the course you're in the fresh air, and by yourself, you're not surrounded by people. And sometimes the best way to fight these things is with a bit of exercise, keeps you fit."

The winner of the women's half marathon was Kelly Butler, age 31, from Stafford, with a time of one hour and 18 minutes.

Kelly, who teaches geography at Stafford Grammar School, said: "If I can still go to school then I can still run. Until they say otherwise. A lot of runners here I think just wanted to get out and run, while we still can."