More than 1,000 runners took part in the Birketts Race4Business charity run through Chelmsford.

The determined crowd ran the 3.5mile race through Chelmsford High Street to the back of Birketts' offices in Bradford Street to raise money for Age UK.

Now in its 17th year, Birketts' Race4Business has raised nearly £500k for good causes, it has grown out of all recognition from its early years and is now a major event in the Chelmsford calendar.

Chris Kelly, Partner at Leonard Gray and Trustee/Director of Age UK Essex, said: “As I partner in the firm of Leonard Gray and a Trustee for our chosen charity, Age UK Essex, I am extremely pleased with the money that has been raised this year.

"Jean Robinson is the Head of Income Generation at Age UK Essex and has done a sterling job with the organisation and fundraising.

"Through my work as a Trustee I see how important it is to raise money to enable the effective care of older people and to encourage independence, choice and opportunity for older people.

"As the only Trustee running, a number of the other Trustees kindly agreed to make a donation if I finished in under 39 minutes.

"I am pleased to say my time was somewhere in the region of 29 minutes, so I will definitely be getting in touch with them today!”

Fellow runner  Jade Harvey, Paralegal at Leonard Gray LLP, added: “I really enjoyed taking part in the Race4Business 2015.

"This was my first attempt at a 5km race and I was pleased with all the donations and support received.

"I’m hoping that we will have raised over our target of £300 for Age UK Essex, who are the chosen charity of Leonard Gray.”