THE warm, sunny weather delighted the crowds but was not always appreciated by the runners at the third Ealing Half Marathon on Sunday.

There was a record number of finishers, cheered on by thousands of spectators along the route and in the race village.

Former runner Tracey Melville, an ambassador for the Lymphoma Association, sent the runners on their way around Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephens before they crossed the finish line in Lammas Park.

Thousands were wearing yellow ribbons to raise awareness of the disappearance of missing teenager Alice Gross.

Ribbons were also tied to trees and fences along the route, which runs close to where Alice was last seen.

The Ealing race attracts an international field, but it has its roots firmly in the community and draws support from businesses, residents and runners.

The race organizers are a Community Interest Company (CIC), which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders.

Ben Siwa and Gladys Yator were first home in the men’s and women’s races, with Siwa crossing the finish line in 1:07:33 and Yator successfully defending her women’s title in a time of 1:15:58.

More than 220 Ealing Eagles took part and the Serpentine Running Club used the race as their club championship.

Fastest runners in the Ealing Mini Mile, which covered a one-mile route around Lammas Park, were Milo Choudhry (6:08) and Victoria Fletcher (7:23) in the 6–11 years category, while Joseph Barnes (5:18) and Laura Stewart (5:59), of Ealing, Southall & Middlesex AC, took first place in the 12-16 years category.

Race director Kelvin Walker thanked volunteers, including worshippers from the six Anglican churches en route who were manning water stations.

“The race has been a platform to show the nation and the world how much our community cares,” he said.

“It’s been very emotional for everyone involved to see the course covered in yellow ribbons and thousands of runners wearing the ribbons which have become the symbol in the #FindAlice appeal.

“Everyone has experienced the true #EalingFeeling today and I am very proud to be part of this community.”

Charity fund-raising is a big part of the race and more than 700 runners took part to raise funds for headline charity Alzheimer’s Society.