Runners from the US, France, Belgium, Holland and this country have helped to raise £17,500 in Deal’s third annual Clifftop Challenge.

Staged in aid of the Breast Cancer Now charity, it attracted 180 runners - the highest ever - who took part in five different length races along the Kent and Sussex coastline.

The longest, a 55-mile Ultra run, started from Hastings in the early hours of Saturday while the others were a marathon starting from Folkestone, a 15-miler from Capel-le-Ferne, a 10-miler from Dover seafront and a 5-miler from St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe, all ending at Walmer Green.

Organiser Chantele Rashbrook, from Middle Deal Road, said: “It was brilliant and there is still more money to come in. I am really pleased with the amount raised - I think it is an amazing result.”

In addition to the races there was a seven-hour music festival on the Green and a charity auction.

Chantele is a keen runner despite suffering from breast cancer - for which she is being treated by the drug kadcyla. She organises her own club, called Rashbrook’s Runners, a group of about 25 women who go running twice a week.

She said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved on the day who helped to make it such a success. This includes the runners, sponsors, friends and family, as well as those who helped with the setting up and taking down. I’d especially like to thank my father Michael Griggs who helped to get the sponsors and John Perkins, from the bandstand, for allowing us to use it.”

Chantele has already pencilled in June 17 next year for the fourth Clifftop Challenge, which will also take place on Walmer Green.

Sponsors who played a large part in the day’s success were: Continental Cargo Carriers, Thanet Waste, Jenkinson, Hutchings, Autobase, Kingsdown Camping, Beach Furniture, Riccominis, Brandon Hire, Walmer Insulations, Adamson Suziki, Royal Hotel, Sainsbury’s, Sir Norman Wisdom, Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club and Just Signs.