HUNDREDS of runners pounded the pavements of Winchester as a popular annual event returned to the city.

Roads were closed across the district on Sunday as the 10k Road Race took place for the 36th consecutive year.

Runners gathered outside Winchester Guildhall at 8.30am before debuting a new route designed for this year.

The track took the group up St George’s Street before heading out of the city towards Kings Worthy village.

The return leg headed through Headbourne Worthy and back towards the city centre before finishing at the North Walls Recreation Centre.

This year’s event was organised by Hampshire-based multi-sports company Challenging Events.

Funds raised from the run will go towards the Winchester Hospice Appeal.

Kelly Wickens, the event director, previously said: “Being comfortable as possible and spending it with loved ones during those precious last moments in life personally means a lot to me having gone through it with my mum, it makes all of us at Challenging Events proud that we are able to support this very much needed cause for Winchester.”