Hundreds of diehard runners descended on Richmond riverside as they embarked on a gruelling 100 mile ultra-marathon to Oxford.

The colourful crowd included participants in fancy dress, with Batman and Robin among the superhuman athletes to brave driving rain, strong winds and freezing temperatures.

More than 300 runners in the Thames Towpath 100 mile ultra-marathon started in Richmond at 10am on Saturday, March 3, with many running the entire day and through the night before completing the epic challenge.

The harsh conditions forced some to leave the course in an ambulance suffering from hypothermia.

Philipp Studt, of Hampton, was among the athletes from Richmond, finishing in 65th place in a time of 23 hours and 43 minutes.