THOUSANDS of runners tested themselves in the city's 10k run and half marathon.

Almost 4,000 people signed up to the Worcester City Run and locals lined the city's streets to cheer them on today.

Stars including local athletics hero Jenny Nesbitt and 11-time Paralympic gold medal winner Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson took part in the race.

Stuart Hawkes claimed first place in the inaugural half marathon event, while Phil Beastall won the 10k run.

Cllr Steve Mackay, the Mayor of Worcester, said: "It's great for Worcester. It's bringing so many people in.

"The atmosphere is great by itself but then think what it's doing for the city, people are coming in and using food outlets.

"The more events we have on in Worcester that put Worcester on the map the better.

"Everything about it is good. In relation to the road closures - that is particularly concerning the Velo.

"These road closures are only running road closures. They are for the minimum amount of time.

"So many people are getting so much out of today that I think these [closures] are well worth the effort."

Michelle Nolan, fundraiser for the Grace Kelly Ladybird Trust, praised the 28 runners participating in the race on behalf of the charity.

Jen Kelly, who founded the charity after her four-year-old daughter died from cancer, also took part in the half marathon and raised over £3,000.

Ms Nolan, aged 37, said: "Jen has never run anything like this in her life.

"She started training just recently. She's working very hard to build the charity."

She added that Ms Kelly was supposed to do the 10k run but pushed herself further and took on the half marathon.

"This is the first time Ladybird has taken part in the run," Ms Nolan said.

"We have had 28 runners running. Each have raised a minimum of £120.

"This stall is where everyone comes to get their certificates of thanks. Next year it would be fab if we could get double the runners running for us."

Ms Nolan joined the charity after finding out about the death of Grace, who went to pre-school with her daughter, in Crowle, Worcestershire.

Kathy Lewis, head coach of the Tewkesbury Allrunners, also took part in the 10k run - alongside other members from the ladies' running club.

Ms Lewis, aged 47, said: "As a group this is our first time [at the Worcester event].

"It's a local run and it's quite a big one. It's the biggest and nearest.

"The weather was good for us today. It was a social run for us.

"Instead of going for a pint at the pub we have a run and a chat. No one was running on their own today.

"Lots of women don't have the confidence to run with a [mixed] club as boys are quite competitive."

She said the one problem with the event was that the course was consistently narrow, which could have affected running times - due to the amount of people taking part.