Nottingham's Old Market Square was a sea of red at 5.30am this morning - as more then 750 runners joined the city's fifth annual 5km road race.
Runners in this year's Sunrise City event were all wearing the official red and purple shirt, contrasting dramatically with the dark grey skies overhead.
But the rain stayed away as hundreds of amateur athletes set off from near the Brian Clough statue, alongside fun-runners, fund-raisers, mums with pushchairs and dog-owners with their pets.
Their route took them up past Nottingham Castle, down by Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, along the Beeston Canal, and back through the Lace Market.
Although the run wasn't timed - runners often have to stop as they cross Maid Marian Way - the first red shirts crossed the finishing line on Smithy Row, before 5.45am.
Parkrun volunteer travelled 40 miles at 5am for wrong Clifton event
Cheering crowds welcomed the last few participants back into Old Market Square after 6.15am today, Friday May 17.
Organisers pointed out that, as always, getting to the finish line first was not the main aim for most runners.
Mum-of-two Susan Wheatcroft, from Wollaton-based race sponsor Virtual Runner UK, ran the race in less than 25 minutes.
She said: "It's a great event - and now firmly established as part of the local calendar. So many people run it before they go to work. It's a brilliant way of starting the day.
"But its strength is the great community atmosphere. People really, really enjoy it!"
Fellow runner Lisa Watson, from Ripley, added: "This was my first time at the event and I came on my own, but it felt like I was with friends. I'd certainly do it again."
Another Sunrise first-timer was Colin Wilde, MD of Nottingham brewery Castle Rock. He was using the event as a warm-up for a longer race.
"I'm running in the Manchester 10k on Sunday, so I hope I finish!" he said.
The first early-morning 5km run through Nottingham, took place in 2015. Last year's event attracted a record 1,600 entrants.
This year - for the first time - there are two Sunrise City races in Nottingham. The second race is on Friday July 5.
The races are organised by sports marketing agency Perfect Motion - based on Mansfield Road, in Nottingham.
Perfect Motion also organises Sunrise City 5k events in Derby, Leicester, Sheffield, Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol and Peterborough. Its aim is to create a network of races across the country.
This year's races are expected to raise thousands of pounds for the Nottingham-based When You Wish Upon a Star charity, which helps grant wishes for children with terminal illnesses.
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