Ultra runners were cheered across the finish line after making their way through five of London’s Royal Parks.

The second Royal Parks Foundation Ultra led almost 300 runners on a 50km course through the capital starting at Hyde Park, along the Thames towpath from Battersea Park to Kingston to finish in Bushy Park.

Competitors finished the race with a mixture of exhaustion and joy and many were joined by family and friends who ran alongside them for the final 100 metres on Sunday, October 6.

The run started last year to raise money for charity and to support London’s eight royal parks, with organisers this year hoping to beat the £100,000 fundraising total.

Sara Lom, founding chief executive of the Royal Parks Foundation, said: “We are so pleased to have seen such a surge in numbers for this year’s race.

“It’s a huge step up from a half marathon to an ultra, so hats off to all our runners who have made that leap – and to everyone who’s been involved in this year’s race."

Graham Hedger from Notting Hill was the overall winner finishing the run in 3:30.54 and achieving his ambition of completing 100 marathons before hitting 50 later this month.

Philippa Taylor, from Stamford Lincolnshire, set a women’s course record in 3:38.37.