It was a case of fun in the sun for a 5k run as more than 250 people tackled the Big Fun Run at Mote Park.

It’s an annual event held across the country and Saturday was Maidstone’s turn to host the untimed run.

People turned out in their hundreds to run, walk or cheer on the participants who were running for charity, fitness or just for fun.

Runners expressed themselves by dressing up, using facepaints and running in teams to support their friends and family.

Dan Gooding, from Ashford, finished first with a time of 24 minutes and 45 seconds, but it’s not about the times with the Big Fun Run.

Director Neil Kilgour said: “The Big Fun Run is strictly for fun where it’s all about easy, relaxed exercise. No times, no pressure, no sweat – just some easy moves and lots of laughs.”

Another participant was mother-of-two Claire Bottomley, from Maidstone, who has a rare medical condition, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). She tackled the event with a team of eight, raising more than £500 for EDS UK.

The 32-year-old finished second to last as her team walked the course. She said: “It was totally worth it and I’m so pleased I made it to the end. My team had the patience of saints walking at my pace and pulling me up hills, so thank you to them all.”

A familiar face also ran the race to raise money for Europe’s first elephant foundation.

TV presenter and animal enthusiast Anneka Svenska ran with the Born Free Foundation chief executive Will Travers, raising more than £2,500 for the charity.

Maidstone Big Fun Run