RUNNERS in fancy dress helped to raise thousands of pounds for the family of a popular athlete who died last year.

More than 500 people turned out for a tribute run for Chris Reason at Newnham Park Estate, Plympton, yesterday.

Chris died last year from non-Hodgkinsons Lymphoma cancer, at the age of 39, leaving a wife, Mandy, and two young children, six-year-old Max and Grace, aged three.

Mandy, Max and Grace took part in a one-mile fun run, and regular runners dressed up for a five-mile run through a muddy Newnham Park.

The runners – most in Noddy and Big Ears themed fancy dress – warmed up to the Noddy theme and The Birdie Song.

Frank Elford of Frank Elford Sports in Mayflower Street revived his Trail Run, which was last held in 2008, for the occasion.

He said he was hoping to raise up to £5,000 on the day.

"People have been incredibly generous," he said. "We won't know for about a week exactly how much we raised."

Mandy said: "I can't believe how many people turned out. It's nice to see the support of the running community. Chris would have loved it. He would have loved all the attention."

She said the children helped her to cope with the loss of Chris, and she was "taking each day as it comes".

Chris worked at Frank Elford Sports for 18 years.

"He was like a son to me," Mr Elford said.

"He would have been very proud of the event because it was his favourite run."

He said a number of runners came out of retirement for the event, and at least one couple travelled up from Penzance for the run.

Lesley Badock (Noddy) and Roberta Richardson (Big Ears) from Plymouth Harriers ran with a cardboard mock-up of Noddy's car.

"We knew Chris for a long time," they said.

Instinctive Sports, based at Tor Bridge High, turned out with 25 runners in Noddy fancy dress.

Chris had been a member of their club, and one of their runners, Dave Matthews, said: "I don't think there is anyone who runs in Plymouth who did not know him."