MORE than 150 helped launch this year's Isle of Wight Festival of Running by taking on the Duver Dash.

Scroll through our gallery of pictures — can you see yourself taking part?

There were 5km (for over-16s) and junior fun runs organised, with runners using the event as an opportunity to raise funds in aid of the Sophie Rolf Trust, KissyPuppy and the West Wight Sports and Community Centre in Freshwater.

As ever, the centre organised the festival. The Duver Dash was its first event. The Needles Half Marathon, 5km run and Junior Fun Run will conclude the festival on Sunday.

In Sunday's sweltering heat, runners started the 5km event from St Helens Duver, following a scenic, but challenging route along St Helens Beach, up through Nodes Point Holiday Park and across footpaths and fields, before they continued through the village and back towards the harbour — finishing at the Duver, via the Causeway (or Mill Wall, as locals call it).

The junior event was a 1km run, with a second lap option around the Duver.