THERE were ominous-looking clouds overhead but that did not deter scores of athletes taking on an endurance challenge at the weekend.

The third annual Bright10 event took place yesterday and attracted large crowds of runners and supporters.

Those taking on the ten mile route included club runners, those running for charity and others setting themselves a person challenge.

Among the competitors was Brighton cancer campaigner Sara Cutting, who was running for the Sussex Cancer Fund. and Macmillan.

Mara Merlo, who is in remission for blood cancer, was also helping to raise awareness of the Save Hertford Schools campaign.

The group is fighting proposals by Brighton and Hove City Council to reduce the intake at Hertford infant and nursery schools in Hollingdean.

Campaigners say doing this will feed through to the junior school and mean significant cuts to the budgets of the schools.

The group says Hollingdean is already recognised as one of the most deprived areas in the city.

It says any cuts to funding will badly affect children who are already underprivileged.

Mrs Merlo said: “I have worked at the school for 14 years and it is a wonderful community school.

“We want to see it continue to serve the community.”

A team from the Vegan Runners was also out in force.

The club is made up of vegans from all over the UK, with members ranging from beginners to highly experienced runners.

Dave Arnold, from Brighton, said: “The club was formed in 2004 and it has grown from strength to strength.

“We are now getting 20 new members a week on average.”

Harriet Johnson from Hove was taking part in the race for the first time.

She said: “I’ve done a 5km before and I’m working my way up to a half marathon distance.

“The ten mile route is in the middle and very useful for testing myself.

“I’m a bit nervous but I know I’ll get round.”

The route started and finished at Hove Lawns, taking in the British Airways i360 and Brighton Palace Pier before heading to Brighton Marina and back.

Family and friends gathered to show their support, cheering the runners as they set off and shouting encouragement when they came back.

The first man home was Tom Evans and the first woman was Rachel Gifford.

Bright10 chose the Sussex Cancer Fund as its primary charity partner for this year.

The charity was established in 1981 to work with the NHS to create new and improved facilities providing the best possible cancer care for Sussex.

Since then, £3 million has been raised to make the cancer centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton more attractive, comfortable and effective.

Bright10 has also partnered with the Brighton-based children’s charity Rockinghorse, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The charity is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and also supports the specialist Trevor Mann baby unit at the neighbouring Royal Sussex.

Another charity to benefit was the Grace Ayre Foundation.

The Hove-based charity works throughout the south east, helping to transform the lives of people with learning disabilities.

It runs a day centre in Hove with a wide variety of activities.