A LARGE swan bizarrely delayed a charity run.

A hot morning on Sunday (July 9) saw 75 runners and walkers gather at Greystones Farm for the first annual charity 10k run, organised by North Cotswolds Rotary Club and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT),with an optional 5k walk.

A swan blocked runners in Bourton by standing across the path whilst two event organisers managed to coax the swan back into the lake.

Its presence was in some ways fitting with the race raising money for the GWT.

This was not the only obstacle as after passing an Iron Age roundhouse under construction at Greystones, the leading runners went the wrong way because a direction sign had been turned around.

This caused problems for a number of runners, but the course was adapted for the leading group.

“This is the first year we have organised this event”, said North Cotswolds Rotary Club president Peter Boxall, and despite some initial teething problems, everyone seems to have really enjoyed themselves.

"I would like to thank all those who took part for their support, and we hope to see everyone back next year when the exciting new visitor centre at Greystones will be an added attraction.

"Our thanks also to all our volunteer helpers, to Bourton Road Runners for advice and assistance on the day, and to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust for helping us to organise this event in the lovely Cotswold countryside.”

Both courses started and finished at Greystones Farm in Bourton-on-the-Water with the 10k route taking runners through wildflower meadows at Greystones, across the River Eye, and then through Cotswold countryside to Wyck Rissington.

From there the route passed Rissington Mill before entering a narrow path around one of the Bourton lakes.

The winner of the run was Luke Pennington, aged 14, from Cirencester, with a time of 44 minutes 41 seconds.The first lady was Rosie Mutsaars, a member of Bourton Road Runners, who also came fourth overall.

Major building improvements are currently taking place at Greystones Farm, owned by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, and these should all be finished by the spring of 2018.

A new visitor centre, classroom and a small catering area will all be created.

Expenses this year were higher than they will be in future years due to the building works, but nevertheless £300 was raised for GWT’s work at Greystones.

Run organisers say that this year's event was as much about building support for future years than raising a large sum.