WOW and wow - what a day, what a route and what a race. Much more than a race in fact - it was an experience. Okay, okay, I know this was one of our slogans to describe the brand new Marathon Du Malton, which launched last weekend, but boy did it feel true.

When we set out to create a new event with a bit of exercise, lots of stunning local countryside and masses of Malton’s famous food and drink I couldn’t have imagined it would get off to such a good start.

And who would have thought that for the 250 runners enduring 10k in high winds and constant rain it would have been such fun.

Perhaps we shouldn’t underestimate the power of endorphins and alcohol, but as a contestant myself I’ve rarely felt so good or had so many laughs.

All the runners seemed to be on a high. Tim Waudby called it “absolutely fantastic” adding, “I haven’t been made to run in 30 years”.

Shelly Oyston said: “What an amazing day, I laughed from start to finish and all the way in between.”

At the finish line I met a gentleman who said he’d been doing 10ks and half marathons since 1986 and this one was the most fun he’d ever had on a race.

Runners came from clubs at Scarborough, Pocklington, Sheffield and Leeds. There was even the York Beer runners, who sound like wineathlon professionals to me and some runners came from even further afield such as Birmingham, Watford and London.

And who can forget the amazing gent who juggled his way around the whole course taking things to a whole different level.

Naturally we chose food and drink as the fancy dress theme and some of the sights were truly amazing. There was a couple running as bacon and eggs, we saw hot dogs a plenty, a few fruit baskets (one group from London comprised of two pineapples, a strawberry, a bunch of grapes and an avocado) and there was even a plucky lobster who made her way across the course to glory as Lindsay the lobster snapped up the prize in the fancy dress competition.

For every single one of our contestants the event was a chance to get the old running shoes on and enjoy some excellent food and drink in spectacular surroundings (mini Yorkshire puds and gin seemed to be the two favourites of the day), but what made it most special was the joyful, comradely atmosphere. Something that will keep me buzzing for weeks to come.

Great thanks must go to Richard Fahey for allowing us to use his land for what became the gourmet gallop. Thanks also to the volunteers who manned the food stalls and kept the runners on the route.

So now onto the next event, which is no less exiting, Malton Harvest Food Festival, a harvest of God’s own county and coastline. It’s back with more stalls, more demonstrations, more music and quite simply more of everything.

With an emphasis on late summer and autumn produce it is the perfect time to have a food festival. Get yourself ready for the last party of the summer coming on Saturday. September 8.

For more information, visitmalton.com