AROUND 1,750 runners were out in force embracing the swinging sixties at this year's Port Sunlight 10K.

Flower Power was the theme for this year's sell-out event which coincided with Father's Day.

Organised by BTR Liverpool, in conjunction with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT), the run was supported by headline sponsor Unilever.

This year also marks a special celebration for Port Sunlight residents who will be celebrating 130 years since the village was founded.

To mark the milestone a team of 130 employees from Unilever will be pulling on their running shoes to take part in the 5K and 10K races.

The soundtrack of the day will also be themed and runners have been asked to suggest their favourite songs from the sixties era.

Official proceedings were overseen by PSVT honorary president Maggie Sparks and head of Unilever Port Sunlight Cameron Jones who were on hand to officially start each race and present trophies.

Maggie told the Globe: "This year’s Port Sunlight Road Race was particularly special and had a real carnival atmosphere.

"It was wonderful to see so many families taking part across all three races, and proudly wearing their medals with big smiles.

“The race is a highlight in our events calendar and we are indebted to the residents, the race stewards and Unilever Port Sunlight for their support.

"Well done to everyone who took part.

"We look forward to welcoming you back to the village next year.”

Around 300 youngsters also took part in the 1K Fun Run while Olympic gold medallist Sam Quek surprised participants by taking part dressed as a green lego brick to raise cash and awareness for Clatterbridge Cancer Centre.

Winner of the 5K race was Rob Pearse, from Wallasey who completed the circuit in just 16 minutes and 27 seconds while Helen Sahgal from Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton Harriers was the first woman to finish, completing the race in 18 minutes 13 seconds.

Dave Bennett from Ellesmere Port AC finished first in the 10K race with a winning time of 32 minutes and 31 seconds while Carmel Triggs from Kirkby Milers won for the girls in 40 minutes 29 seconds.

The final finisher in the 10K was Barbara Ann Smith from West Derby.

A race regular, Barbara was given a round applause as she crossed the finish line by youngsters who lined both sides of the start line funnel ahead of their 1K Fun Run

During the 10K, a team of five runners also carried a kitchen table 6.2 miles around the streets of Port Sunlight to raise cash for Maggie’s Merseyside.

Stuart Hughes, from the National Asbestos Helpline based in Chester, put together the ‘table team’ of Alison Hughes and Vern Jackson from Chester, Amanda Boughey from Comberbach, and Richard Hughes from Spital after being inspired by Maggie’s Merseyside’s own kitchen table events.

The five friends finished the race with the table in one hour 20 minutes and raised more than £400.

It was also a special day for Port Sunlight residents, Victoria and Steve Bowness, who took part in the 5K for the very first time – despite Victoria breaking her foot in March, they ran in memory of Victoria’s Grandfather Terry Brazel, who passed away in July 2017.

Together, the couple have raised more than £700 for the Lee Spark Foundation, to help raise awareness about Necrotising Fasciitis.

The date for next year’s Port Sunlight Road Race has been set for Sunday, June 16 – entries are now open at www.btrliverpool.com