Athletes from across Fife gathered in Glenrothes on Tuesday to pound the streets in memory of keen amateur runner Stuart Duncan.
Runners came together to compete in the annual Stuart Duncan 5k Memorial Race.
The event, which attracts road race enthusiasts as well as novice runners, set off from the Lomond Centre before runners navigated their way along a 5km (3.1 mile) course using the town’s cycle and pedestrian paths.
Race first run in 2015
First run in 2015, the race was back for the first time since 2019 after the coronavirus pandemic forced last year’s event to be cancelled.
A keen amateur runner, Stewart passed away in April 2015 after suffering a cardiac arrest aged 58.
To mark his memory and the sport that he loved, the family set up the race which has since become a hotly contested annual event.
And the sell-out race, which had to be limited to 120 participants, once again proved a huge success as runners took to the streets bathed in glorious evening sunshine.
As well as serious athletes, people enjoyed the run at a more leisurely rate, including Glenrothes mum Jessica Aird, who completed the event pushing her baby son, Grayson, in a pram.
Another runner decided to make his way around the course to the sounds of The Proclaimers blasting out from his backpack.
Winners on the night were Ryan Lafferty from Fife Athletic Club, the first male to cross the finishing line in a time of 15 minutes 48 seconds.
First female athlete was Julie Menzies of PH Racing Club in a time of 18 minutes 56 seconds.
Everyone who took part in the race was also presented with a commemorative medal.
It is thought more than £1,000 has been raised, which will be used to pay for a new defibrillator for public use at Warout Stadium in Glenrothes.
Family event
Stuart’s children Ross and Nicola competed, along with grandchildren, Kyle, 16, Bethany, 13 and Zak, 11.
Margaret Duncan, Stuart’s widow, said: “Every year I’m astounded how well attended the event is and that is testament to just how respected Stuart was.
“It was especially pleasing to see runners back and the smiles on everyone’s faces after the year we’ve just had.
“Because of the restrictions we had to limit the amount of runners so hopefully we’ll be able to expand that again next year.”