RUNNERS from around the world descended upon Swanage to compete in the third Purbeck Marathon today.

Around 350 runners took part in this year's race, which set off from the Downs above Swanage Pier at 9.30am.

See all the pictures from Purbeck Marathon in a gallery

Race director Rose Clarke said: “People from Kuala Lumpur, the United States and the Philippines came specifically to take part. They read the reviews from previous years and came here for it, which is brilliant.”

Matt Bennett, from Southampton Athletic Club, won the race with an impressive time of three hours and 50 seconds.

Steve Way, who competed at this year's Commonwealth Games and won the previous two years' events, took second place.

Runners who took part in the gruelling race, which was voted the UK's best-rated marathon by Runner's World magazine last year, raised thousands of pounds for various charities.

Husband and wife team Martin and Joanna Randall said they were running to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Mr Randall said: “We are running three marathons this year. My dad was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year so we are doing it for him. We've raised about £1,500 so far.”

Mrs Randall added: “We did it last year and it was really hard. I said I would never come back but here we are again.”

The 26.2 mile route saw runners take in Durlston, Worth Matravers and Kingston, before passing above Kimmeridge to deserted Tyneham Village, Creech, Corfe Castle and back to the finish along the seafront at Swanage.

Branding this year's event a huge success, Ms Clark said: “There has been a really great atmosphere and the weather has been beautiful.

“Everyone has come back and said how much they loved it.

“It's been fantastic.”