The Monster Racing Run Fest took place on Sunday starting out at Ely Cathedral with runners having a choice of three different races.

There was the gruelling 68km ultra race, the 42.2km marathon or 21.1km half marathon.

A total of 270 athletes entered the event making it the biggest to date.

A Monster Racing spokesman said: “It was once again a superb event.

“We aim to create fun and friendly events which appeal to both the experienced and newcomers to the sport.”

Athletes started at the cathedral and followed the same route on cyclepath 11 along the river bank of the River Great Ouse.

Where the runners turned around and headed back depended on the race.

Half marathon athletes turned just before the village of Wicken. The marathon and ultra athletes continued through desolate Fens and turned around at Lode.

The ultra athletes carried on along the River Cam to the outskirts of Cambridge where they turned around and started the long journey back.

For the first time the ultra race was won by a female in 5h and 1 minutes, an outstanding run by Susie Chesher.

Second female was Betty Bohane, 5:32, and third female was Marie French (Ryston Runners), 6:24.

First across the line in the men’s ultra race was Ally Watson (Serpentine) in a time of 5h and 3mins.

Second male was Chris Mickleburgh (Norwich Road Runners), 5:36, and third male was David Bloore, 5:54.

First across the line in the men’s Marathon Matt Holmes (Ely Runners) in a time of 3h and 21mins.

Second male was Barry Whitcomb (Team Apache), 3:29, and third male was Barry Taylor (Safronriders), 3:34.

The women’s Marathon race was won by Paula Downing (Mablethorpe Running Club) in a time of 3h and 25mins.

Second female was Debbie Regan, 3:45, and third female Julie Pond, 3:53.

The mens’s half narathon race was won by Alex Metcalfe (Ely Runners) in a time of 1h and 21.

Second male was Josh Holman (Ely Tri Club), 1:22, and third male was Philip Hamilton, 1:27.

The women’s half marathon race was won by Emma Mckay in a time of 1h and 41mins.

Second female was Elaine Smith (Ely Runners), 1:45, and third female Carol Bowett (Fenland Running Club), 1:52.

Local Sandie Jardine, Ely Tri Club, deserves a special mention as she is the first person to ever complete all three distances.

Sandie, completed the half marathon in 2014, the marathon in 2015 and the ultra this year.

First and second placed athletes won cash prizes donated by Revitaflex and third place athletes won Alphawoolf trainers provided by Fenland Runner. Race nutrition was provided by Hammer Nutrition and 9Bar.

Ian-Green Photography captured the action.