HUNDREDS of runners braved high winds and lashing rain to take part in a new year run on Sunday.

Participants took on a 10k route around the historic Somerley Estate in Ringwood in aid of Autism Wessex.

Families also had the option of completing a 2k fun run.

One of the first to claim his race number was Andrew Gardiner of Fordingbridge.

He said: "I'm really here because of my wife - she runs with a running club in Westbourne, so I thought I'd join her here today."

Friends Julia McGrath, of Cosham, and Martin Cox, who lives in Waterlooville, donned waterproof ponchos before heading to the start line.

Julia said: "We signed up a couple of months ago - we thought it was a good reason to keep training over Christmas.

"The weather is just awful today, but we're here."

Georgie Fry, of Southbourne, Susie Matthews, of Poole and Kimberley Irving, of Southampton, shivered as they waited for the race to begin.

However, Susie said: "You never regret doing a run.

"It's a good start to the year, a nice early race, and I'm sure it'll be great."

Dave Sheppard and son Finley, 11, had the support of family as they began the run.

Finley has recently started running more competitively in his first year at the Burgate School.

Dave said: "We've got a good friend whose child is autistic, so this seemed like a great way to start the year."

However, the dash through the grounds of the estate wasn't to be the only exercise for him that day.

"The van is stuck in the mud so I'll need to dig it out when we finish here," he said.

Organiser Becky Chalk, of Autism Wessex, said she was pleased to see so many runners.

"We had 389 people run, which was really brilliant," she said.

"In total, about 650 signed up, and we'll get everyone's race entry fees. That's what it's all about - raising money for Autism Wessex."