A CHARITY fun run saw more than 100 people compete in bright and blustery conditions at Essex University playing fields as part of the Mayor’s Big Run.

Organised by Hare and Tortoise Running, the event took on the unique name of Mayor and Tortoise for the day as runners took part in the event in support of the Next Chapter charity.

Gazette: All ears – Tim Young ran the 5k race in a pair of hare earsAll ears – Tim Young ran the 5k race in a pair of hare ears (Image: Next Chapter)

Running in the 5k race, Colchester mayor Tim Young took on the dual role of mayor and hare by wearing a pair of animal ears, while mayoress Nicola Goodchild competed as the hare’s counterpart, wearing a tortoise shell as she crawled across the finish line.

Gazette: Finish line – Mayoress Nichola Goodhild, wearing a tortoise shell, crawls over the lineFinish line – Mayoress Nichola Goodhild, wearing a tortoise shell, crawls over the line (Image: Next Chapter)

Holding the position of mayor until 2023, Mr Young has adopted the theme of ‘Celebrating Diversity – Challenging Prejudice’ for his term in office, with the Next Chapter charity one of five organisations he is looking to raise money for over the next 12 months.

Gazette: Running buddies – two runners cross the finish line together on SundayRunning buddies – two runners cross the finish line together on Sunday (Image: Next Chapter)

Next Chapter, which is based in Colchester, supports people who are experiencing – or have experienced – forms of domestic abuse and intimidation.

Though the overall amount of money raised has not yet been concerned, Mr Young said it was into the thousands.

Gazette: All smiles – runners enjoyed the laid back feel to the event on Sunday morningAll smiles – runners enjoyed the laid back feel to the event on Sunday morning (Image: Next Chapter)

Mr Young said: “It couldn’t have gone much better, and we made a good bit of money from it as well.

"It was jolly, celebratory – we had some serious runners, some amateur runners, and some geezers like me.”

Gazette: Popular – Tim Young was aked for plenty of selfies whilst he wore his hare's earsPopular – Tim Young was aked for plenty of selfies whilst he wore his hare's ears (Image: Next Chapter)

“It was over £1,000, and that’s partly because the sponsors [such as Tiles DIY, The Dental Studio Colchester, Birkett Long Solicitors, and Colchester Dental Studio] covered all the costs for the event.

Gazette: Teamwork – a runner unties her friend's laces after the raceTeamwork – a runner unties her friend's laces after the race (Image: Next Chapter)

The day did not include just the one race, however – as well as the 5k, there was a 10k, marathon, and six-hour challenge.

“I’ve done about 25 park runs at Castle Park, so this run was very flat by comparison.

Gazette: Volunteers – helpers were on hand to provide home bakes and hot drinks for runners after their racesVolunteers – helpers were on hand to provide home bakes and hot drinks for runners after their races (Image: Next Chapter)

“I did it in around 33 minutes, which is pretty good for me – a lot of people don’t realise how beautiful the university scenery is, and it was really quite therapeutic going around there for a good cause.”