Nearly 1,000 runners descended on the streets of Ipswich on Friday night as the popular Twilight 10K road race returned to the town after a two-year Covid-induced hiatus.

On a warm evening in the town, participants tackled the 10K route, which started at Constantine Road and finished on the practice pitch at Ipswich Town's Portman Road stadium.

Runners were able to take in some of Ipswich's key landmarks along the way, such as the Willis Building, Cornhill and the Ancient House.

The event returned this year after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the popular race in 2020 and 2021.

Organised by Ipswich Jaffa Running Club, the event was supported by a number of local businesses, including Ensors Chartered Accountants, Coes, the University of Suffolk and Suffolk County Council’s most active county team.

The Suffolk School of Samba also performed on the Cornhill to give the runners an extra boost along the route.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice (EACH) were the events chosen charity for 2022 and runners were encouraged to raise money to support this local charity.

Alison Beech, from Ipswich Jaffa, said it was "fantastic" to see the return of the event.

She said: "Many of the runners commented on the wonderful support from the volunteer marshals and spectators enjoying the warm evening sunshine and cheering on the participants.

"The striking race vests, sponsored by Ensors, provided a flash of colour and we were delighted to again work with charity partner EACH.

"Ipswich Jaffa was pleased to be able to present a cheque for £15,000 in May this year, which comprised a donation from the 2019 race as well as entry fees from the postponed 2020 and 2021 events which many runners chose to donate to EACH."

Results from the race were as follows:

Open Men
1 - Ross Broomfield, Unaffiliated 31 minutes, 38 seconds.
2 - Jack Nixon, St Edmunds Pacers 32:18
3 - Danny Rock, Felixstowe RRC 32:35

Open Women
1 - Katie King, St Edmunds Pacers 36:08
2 - Claire Jacobs, Hadleigh Hares AC 36:28
3 - Rebecca Gallop, Newark AC 36:50

Men's team winners - Felixstowe RRC
Women's team winners - Ipswich Jaffa RC

Male veteran 70 - Gerard Nixon, St Edmunds Pacers 47:31
Male veteran 65 - Gerry McCarthy, Ipswich Phoenix 49:24
Male veteran 60 - Tim Edmonds, Unaffiliated 42:56
Male veteran 55 - Paul Holley, Newmarket Joggers 34:51
Male veteran 50 - Keith Tilley, Ipswich Jaffa RC 34:42
Male veteran 45 - John Scaife, Colchester Harriers 35:48
Male veteran 40 - Denis Olefir, St Edmunds Pacers 33:37

Female veteran 70 - Jenny Huff, Unaffiliated 1:16:24
Female veteran 65 - Jenny Morgan, St Edmunds Pacers 46:20
Female veteran 60 - Ruth Acworth, Woodbridge Shufflers RRC 48:45
Female veteran 55 - Val Jennings, Ipswich Jaffa RC 46:45
Female veteran 50 - Clare Gleave, Unaffiliated 43:26
Female veteran 45 - Helen Pool, Reading Road Runners 43:01
Female veteran 40 - Helen Jerrold, Unaffiliated 43:07

See our gallery of pictures from the event below: