THOUSANDS of runners took part in two races this morning that started and finished in the shadow of Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.

The Cleveland Centre 5km Riverside Run and South Tees CCG 2km Fun Run both took place this morning (Sunday, May 31) with competitors from around the country taking part.

To make the occasion event better the runners enjoyed an Olympic-style finale as they then finished the run in the stadium where they were cheered on by family and friends.

Among the runners was Kelly Howell and her family and friends, who were all running for Zoe’s Place.

Kelly’s son, Daniel, four, has attended the baby hospice since he was diagnosed with Cystinosis at 11-months-old. The rare condition is a genetic metabolic disease that causes an amino acid to accumulate in various organs of the body.

“Zoe’s Place is a marvellous place and so we just want to do as much as we can for them,” said Kelly, from Redcar. I am also doing the Great North Run in September.

“Daniel goes to Zoe’s Place once a week. He absolutely loves it."

The winner of the 5k race was Wondiye Indlebu, a paralympian athlete from Ethiopia - in 14 minutes 58 seconds.

He said: “I came second last year so I am very happy to be first this year.”

Second, with a time of 14 minutes 59 seconds was Ian Hudspith, of Morpeth Harriers.

Third went to Tadele Geremew Mulugeta - with a time of 15 minutes and seven seconds. His wife Justina Heslop, was the first woman to cross the finish line - in 16 minutes 40 seconds.

The boy’s winner of the 2k fun run was Izzy Pearson, 12, of Middlesbrough.

Gabrielle Hall, a pupil at Ingleby Barwick’s Ingleby Mill school, was the girl’s winner.