BLOOD, sweat and tears were shed as thousands of runners pounded the streets in the Brighton 10K.

Nearly 2,000 club runners and fitness enthusiasts ran the 10km route through Brighton and Hove.

The race took runners from Madeira Drive in Brighton towards the Marina, before an about-turn towards Hove and back towards the start.

Despite the wintery weather, runners turned out in force and were supported along the route by spectators.

The annual race, organised by Brighton and Hove City Athletics Club, was won in lightening time by Swansea Harriers runner Jonathan Hopkins who clocked 29 minutes and 39 seconds. Chichester Runners’ Rebecca Moore was the fastest woman in 34 minutes and 51 seconds.

But the day belonged to the thousands of runners who had travelled from all over the country, and even as far as the United States, with many achieving personal bests.

Among the runners were a few familiar faces. Channel 4’s Gogglebox star Stephen Webb, from Hurstpierpoint, who completed the run with his husband. He said: “The race was all right as I’ve done a little bit of training. I got around all right.

“I only do it to keep the pounds off - a couple of runs a week, not anything competitive.”

Cllr Robert Nemeth, who represents Wish Ward, managed to bag a personal best, completing the course in 39 minutes 32 seconds. He said: “Today is one of the biggest 10K races and I think there will be a lot of people getting their best times.

“Brighton and Hove as a city is really going from strength to strength when it comes to putting on running events.”