AROUND 500 people took part in this year’s Studland Stampede, a 12k off-road race around the Purbecks.

Co-organiser Julie Ford said they were delighted with the number of new entrants and also the runners who return each year to take part in the event, now in its ninth year.

“Runners set off under greyer skies than last year but ground conditions were ideal due to the hot summer having dried out the course.”

Each runner also received a goody bag with items supplied by the National Trust, LUSH cosmetics, Dorset Flapjack and Cotswold Outdoors.

Purbeck Runners provide more than half of the marshals and final year students from Anglo European College of Chiropractic were on hand to provide post-race massages.

The 2014 Stampede will be Sunday, October 12. Entries now open for re-entrants only. Entry will open to everyone in February 2014. Visit www.stud landstampede.co.uk.