FOLLOWING several days of inclement weather, the sun shone on riders as they set off from Blackshots this morning (Sunday, 8 June) in the Thurrock Cycle Marathon.

The event, which has raised several hundreds of thousands of pounds for local good causes since its inception three decades ago, is organised by the Rotary Club of Mar Dyke Valley.

Rotary members signed in the riders.

Its members manned the route, which takes in rural roads through Orsett, Bulphan and North Ockendon, before wending its way back to Grays through Stifford Clays and returning to the Civic Hall.

Around 200 riders, of all ages, were sent on their way by rotary club president Paul Luke and borough deputy mayor Cllr Steve Liddiard.

Decathlon offred free cycle checks - and provided a £100 voucher for the rider whose race number was pulled at random from a draw.

Decathlon (Lakeside) once more supported the event and before the riders set out on on their choice of seven, 21 or 42 miles courses enginners from the Lakeside-based store ran a cycle clinic to ensure any last minute safety cecks or problems were remedied.

Members of St John Ambulance provided cover in case of any mishaps, with a crew based at Blackshots and another circulating around the route.