There was a great atmosphere for hundreds of runners who took part in the inaugural Wem 10K on Sunday.

Town mayor Councillor Phil Glover was on hand for the countdown for the race, which started on the football pitch at Bowensfield, the home of Wem Town.

There was a group warm-up beforehand as the runners were put through their paces before they passed through an inflatable starting line to official begin their run.

Cllr Glover admitted he was delighted to have been asked to start the race, and for an event like the 10K to have attracted so many people to the town.

"It's another new event for Wem and it's great to see so many people here," he said, as hundreds more lined the streets to give their support.

"We hoped for a good number of competitors and we got that, and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in organising the event.

"There were competitors of all abilities as well as some serious runners who set out from the beginning.

"I enjoyed giving them the countdown from 10 and watching them set off in the rain – I applaud them."

The race started in the town centre and saw runners set off to as far out as Horton, towards Ellesmere, before heading back to Wem.