More than 600 runners braved the rain to take part in thhis year's 20th Halstead and Essex marathon.

They took to the streets of Halstead and surrounding villages for the race on Sunday - still the only full marathon in Essex.

As rain continued to pour, spectators lined the 26.2-mile course to cheer on the spectators.

The start of the race was marked by bagpipers Brendan Hemming and Robert Adam, from the Essex branch of the O'Neill Pipe Band.

See this week's Gazette, out on Friday, for the full story and spread of pictures.