Hundreds of people lined Ely’s High Street on Saturday as the third annual potato race was held.

Twelve teams battled it out over the half-a-mile course laden with a 20kg bag of spuds, all of which had been grown by farmers in the Fens surrounding the city.

The two-man Ely Octagon Cycling Club team were crowned worthy champions, comfortably winning their heat before, in the final, powering away from runners-up Bodyshape Fitness in the dash to the line. The Ely Tri Club came in third.

Ely Octagon Cycling Club team was racing on behalf of D Palmer & Sons while Team Awesome was carrying PJ Lee & Sons produce.

Teams from Sainsbury’s, The Atrium and Everyone Active, David Green & Parsons also took part but were knocked out in the heats.

A special mention to the Corkers Crisp team, who ran the team dressed in dinner suits and bright orange wellingtons.

New for 2014 was a brand new trophy, with £500 being split between three teams. A fiercely contested race between St Mary’s, St John’s and The Lantern - represented by Corkers Crisps – resulted in a win for the latter.

Austen Dack, of organisers Isle of Ely Produce, said: “It was a fantastic set of races and we look forward to welcoming everyone back again next year.”

Donations on the day helped to raise more than £1500 for local schools and charity from the event.

The event is put on by Isle of Ely Produce to celebrate the region’s potato growers and the local harvest festival.

Owned and managed by the Boutwood family, Isle of Ely Produce was established in 1994.

Director Oliver Boutwood said: It was lovely to see so many people coming out to support the teams today, Isle of Ely Produce are happy to play such an important part in the community and will continue to invest in these types of events in the future. “The event underlines our pledge to support the journey of the potato from the field to the fryer.”

Mr Boutwood said more than £1500 was raised for local charities “some of which will go to the Ely Rotarians who did a marvellous job stewarding the event along the high street”.

The winning duo from this year received £100 cash prize and a trophy plus a special bottle of potato vodka donated by Anglia Wines of Ely. All competitors got to keep their potatoes as part of their entry fee