About 3,000 runners braved the rain to compete in the 'wettest but biggest ever' Grand East Anglia Run through the historic streets of King's Lynn.

Organisers had been forced to close entries for the main 10km run and the mini-GEAR fun-run for children as both events completely sold out.

But, despite the weather, the atmosphere was great as the runners geared up for the start of the races in Lynn town centre.

And there were hundreds of spectators braving the rain to cheer on family members taking part and give the bedraggled runners encouragement with a clap and a smile.

Recovering with a hot bowl of soup afterwards, Alive Leisure race director Roger Partridge said: 'It was the wettest but the biggest ever Gear.

'We are focusing on the positives. As organisers we have learned a lot from it, and if the same conditions apply again, we will be better able to deal with it.

'It was extremely challenging as organisers, but we had a record, 1880 runners taking part in the 10k race, and all but 12 of them finished the race.'

Organised by West Norfolk Council, the 10th Bespak Grand East Anglia Run and mini-GEAR fun run started and finished at the Tuesday Market Place.

Among those taking part were family members and friends of popular kitesurfer Sean Sands, who died in a kite surfing accident on March 7 in the sea at Hunstanton after getting into difficulty.

More than 60 people laced up their running shoes to take part under the banner of Team Sands.

Mr Sands, 49, a keen sportsman from Heacham, was due to run in the 10km race yesterday.

As reported, representatives from the run were presented with a trophy in London in recognition of the organisation of the event.

The Bill Reynolds Memorial Trophy is presented by the British Association of Road Races (BARR) to the most improved event in the country.

The trophy was handed over by ex-world 10,000m world record holder and former London Marathon race director David Bedford to Mr Partridge, Pete Duhig, his assistant, and Keyvan Djamarani, managing director of chief sponsors Bespak.

Have you got a story about someone special who ran the GEAR? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk?