THOUSANDS of runners took to the streets of New Milton for the New Forest Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday.

The event, now in its 27th year, saw crowds of people lining the streets to cheer and clap friends and family taking part.

The day began with the half marathon, which kicked off at around 9.40am.

Mum Kate Butler, 32, was there to cheer on husband Chris and family friends Damian Carter and Stuart Cunliffe, all running to raise money for charity SUDC (Sudden and Unexpected Death in Childhood) after Stuart and his partner lost a baby last year.

She said: “We’ve come from Warwickshire. They have done a series of runs this year to raise money for SUDC.”

Aimee Dobson, 25, and 11-week-old son Connor joined crowds in Station Road to cheer on partner Neal, 33, who had travelled from Portsmouth to take part in the half marathon.

She said: “He has never done this one before but he did the London Marathon in April and he has got the Gosport Half Marathon next month.”

Archie Hoggan, spokesperson for organisers the New Forest Marathon Association Ltd, said between £40,000 and £60,000 was set to be raised for charities from the event.

He said: “The crowds are a little bit down this year but it is a nice day so maybe people have gone into the Forest to watch it there.”

The route now takes in more of the New Forest, meaning that the event is even more popular with runners, he added.