A RECORD number of entries - and new fastest times for both men and women winners. 

The sun came out for the annual Hexham 10k on Sunday, which attracted a record 500 entries. 

And to put the icing on the cake - it was an Olympian who stole the show. 

Sunderland-born Alyson Dixon, who competed at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero, was the winner of the women's race, setting a new record time of 36m 0s. 

Now aged 40, Dixon is no stranger to representing her country. She narrowly missed out on a place at the London 2012 Olympics, after winning the Brighton Marathon. 

She suffered further disappointment while representing England at the Commonwealth Games two years later, when she was forced to withdraw due to a calf injury.

But her career high came at the Rio Olympics in 2016, when Dixon finished as the highest placed Briton in 28th place in the marathon, with a time of 2hrs 34.11s.

Dixon's victory at the Hexham 10k came on the back of last year's performance at the World Championships in London, when she led the marathon until the final nine miles, before finishing 18th. 

It was a good day for Dixon's Sunderland Strollers, who won team awards for both men and women. 

In second place behind the Olympian was Lisa Tang, of Tynedale Harriers, who continued her impressive form with a time of 39m 40s. 

At the end of September, Tang was the outright winner of the women's cross country race Wrekenton in Gateshead, where she and her Tynedale Harriers' teammates excelled against 1,500 competitors from across the North-East. 

Third woman home on Sunday was Wendy Chapman, of Sunderland Strollers, with a time of 40m 0.1s.

Liam Taylor ran an event record time of 33m 39s to win the men's race. Luke Adams, of South Shields Harriers was second with a time of 33m 54s. In third was Sparrow Morley (34m 39s).

Tynedale Harrier Ben Heathcote earned fifth place with a time of 35m 26s.

Organised by Run Northumberland, the Hexham 10k started at Tyne Green, before heading past Anick towards Corbridge, and returning to Hexham. 

Richard Hunter, of Run Northumberland, said he was delighted with a record number of 500 entries. There were 439 finishers.