Donkey says thanks to crowds at Great South Run

Gary, from Buckland, was running with a group of fellow fundraisers in fancy dress to raise cash for and awareness of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

The 52-year-old said: ‘We were running as all of us have lost someone we know to the disease.

‘The suit was very hot, I have only ever run six miles in it before.

‘But this year the turn out was fantastic. The Great South Run is all about the people who come along to support and watch, it’s such a wonderful event.

‘The support we received for the charity on the day was fantastic.’

Gary said he was looking forward to his next race – and he encouraged people to get involved and show their support for the runners,

He will be competing in the Ghost Race, which returns for the fifth year, leaving from the Mountbatten Centre, in Stamshaw, at 6.45pm on Friday.

Runners will be treated to a few Halloween tricks on the way round, from swamp monsters to floating skeletons.

And then the following day, he will be running in the 6km Oktoberfest Run, which also leaves from the Mountbatten Centre at 11am.

Runners are encouraged to wear traditional lederhosens, and they’ll be treated to beer and sausages at the finish line.