From early morning club members ensured everything was in place for the official start of the event.

Rotary President Len Williamson welcomed primary six and seven pupils from local schools who completed two laps of the course.

They set the pace and the scene for the adult runners who gathered at the start line in East High Street.

Angus Provost Mrs Ruth Leslie Melville wished all the competitors well in their efforts and congratulated the Rotary Club for organising such a successful event which raised money for worth-while causes.

To the stirring notes of a specially composed tune by Glamis fiddler Mr Sandy Ingram, accompanied by Forfar accordionist Alan Morrison, the first runners were quick "out of the starting blocks" as they began the first of eight laps of the challenging course.

As in the past, each team fielded five runners who pounded, puffed and 'peched' their way round.

A total of 64 teams entered this the fourth Marafun and they were well supported in their efforts along the way as the crowds turned out in force to enjoy the afternoon's entertainment.

Away from the serious running event, the Rotary Club of Forfar laid on a full programme of events to keep the crowds entertained.

Members of The Rising Youngstars performed a variety of musical numbers whilst dancers from the Elizabeth Low School of Dancing and the Gordon School of Dancing in Montrose also took to the stage in Castle Street.

It was music all the way during the afternoon, starting with the Forfar and District Pipe Band.

Sets were also performed by the Roselea Ceilidh Band from Arbroath as well as local bands who took to the stage to showcase their talent.

Runners of all ages and abilities gave the crowd plenty to cheer as the afternoon wore on and as the clock ticked there was double success for Forfar runners.

Forfar Flyers were the first "serious runners" over the line in a time of 2.43.42 whilst the Forfar Ladies won the Serious Runners Women in 3.05.36.

However, first to cross the finishing line was the team from Anstruther called Anstruther Haddies Barracuda who had entered the Fun Runners Mixed category, finishing in a remarkable 2.33.48.

There were also notable firsts this year with James Gerrie, who works at Forfar's Lilybank Resource Centre, becoming the first wheelchair entrant who completed the course with his team in three hours, 32 minutes, 53 seconds.

Sam Connelly, the oldest competitor, finished in an incredible three hours 50 minutes 32 seconds - at the age of 74!

The full results were as follows:-

Serious Runners Men - Forfar Flyers, 2.43.42; 2, Team BLC, 2.55.28; 3, Angus Allsorts, 3.03.34.

Serious Runners Women - Forfar Ladies, 3.05.36.

Fun Runners Men - 1, Musketeers, 2.47.34; 2, Cincinnati Bowries, 3.07.54; 3, Finavon F.C. 3.0.8.35; 4, One Foot in the Marathon, 3.11.59.

Fun Runners Women - Clan Girls, 3.42.49.

Fun Runners Mixed - 1, Anstruther Haddies Barracuda, 2.33.48; 2, Return of the Wizard of Oz, 3.12.23; 3, Runners United, 3.13.16; 4, E.Q. Extremely Quick, 3.14.00.

Fancy Dress - Kookaburras.

It is expected that Sunday's event will raise in the region of £30,000 which, when added to money raised during the previous three events, will take the total to almost £150,000 with Ninewells Cancer Research once again set to be the major beneficiary.