JCB's annual Lakeside Five and Fun Run saw its first new winner in nine years as almost 350 people took part in the popular race.
And the event delivered a boost of almost £3,500 for the NSPCC – with every penny to be spent helping children in Staffordshire.
Ashbourne Running Club's Chris Patterson was the first over the line in a time of 27 minutes and 41 seconds, claiming a title that has been held by Stone-based runner Ben Gamble from 2007-2014.
Chris, 31, of Ashbourne, said "It is always a great event to take part in but I never thought I would win. I kept looking behind me as I closed in on the finishing line thinking someone is going to catch me – but they never did."
Among the other runners were race organiser and JCB Engineer Mick Grindey, of Uttoxeter and retired JCB Group Electrical Engineer Charles Bevan of Abbots Bromley, who ran dressed as Dennis the Menace. They have taken part in every one of the 32 races.
Charles was joined by his son Jason Bevan, 45, a tailor based in Oxford and his nephew Simon Beresford. Jason, was the first winner of the junior fun run 33 years ago and Simon was the first ever Down’s Syndrome sufferer to complete the London Marathon when he ran the race in 2007.
The 32nd Lakeside Five event also took on an international flavour with runners attracted from three continents.
Design Engineers Umesh Sakore, 33, Sunil Dhole, 37, and Bhushan Mande, 34, who all work at JCB India's Design Centre in Pune, took part. They are currently on secondment to JCB's World HQ in Rocester.
Sunil said: "We have been in training for a few weeks but it was still a daunting task, but willpower drove us on and we really enjoyed it. We will recommend it to all our colleagues in India."
JCB Netherlands employee Michel Jansen, 54, flew in from Holland to take part in the race and notched up a commendable 41 minutes and 11 seconds. Also taking part was Sophie Cléquin, 21, a global business student from the IAE Pau-Bayonne University in the South of France. There was also Liam Keevil, 25, who is from Botswana and on a three-month work placement at JCB Global Purchasing.
First JCB employee across the line was Craig Jeffery, JCB's Group Digital Manager, in a time of 29 minutes and 21 seconds. He was followed by his running "rival" Dave Allen, of Tean, who is a Sales Manager for JCB Attachments and who was just 19 seconds behind. Dave got some consolation, though, as he was the first person aged 50 and over to cross the line. First JCB female over the line was Carolyn Gilligan, who works for JCB Dealer Development. She completed the course in 39 minutes and 33 seconds.
The event was sponsored by JCB Loadall with everyone crossing the line receiving a special medal.
JCB Loadall Managing Director Paul Grys said: “It has been a tremendous turnout and really very well organised and a great fun event. To see not only hundreds of runners but all the people who have come along to support them is very gratifying. The icing on the cake has been the fact we have raised nearly £3,500 for the NSPCC.”