Swindon Half Marathon attracts record number of runners

A record number of runners have taken part in this year's Swindon Half Marathon which was almost cancelled because of lack of sponsorship.

A total of 1,930 people ran the race which went ahead after its main sponsor, which initially pulled out, decided to continue backing it.

The event was won by David Roper for the third year in a row with a time of 69 minutes and 40 seconds.

He said: "I knew I had it in the bag. I smashed the course record."

Mr Roper, 27, who was running for The Big Adventure Store in Swindon, had said before the race he hoped to shave eight seconds off the course record by running 71 minutes and 10 seconds.