DEFIANT runners from South Lakeland took to the streets of Manchester over the weekend to raise money and show support for the city in the wake of last week's devastating suicide bomb attack.

Some 40,000 runners took on this year's Great Manchester Run, lacing up to take on either a 10km or half marathon distance.

Phil Walker, a Kendal town councillor, has raised around £900 to buy Kendal's Westmorland General Hospital specialist equipment for babies with hip dysplasia.

He completed the 10km in just over 56 minutes and said that it was an 'incredibly emotional' experience.

"What a day running around the great city that is Manchester," Mr Walker said. "But today was not just about the charity I was running for, it was also a chance to show solidarity and show that we will all come together in difficult times."

Prior to the run, there was a minute's silence to remember the 22 who died in the attack.

Seven staff members from Underley Garden School in Kirkby Lonsdale, took part in the half marathon and 10km.

"Yesterday was special with what has happened in Manchester," Nicola Harper, one of the seven, said. "The support and turn out was phenomenal and it was emotional to be part of something so poignant. Watching thousands of people come together and show that hate will never win was truly remarkable."

And Claire Schuyler, Heysham and Katy Waddington, Arkholme, ran the half marathon for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital where Kat's eldest son Joseph was treated for a brain tumour last year. The pair have raised £1,150.

Kendal-based Natalie and Mark Fryer, had been running in aid of the charity ICP (intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy) Support.

ICP is the most common liver condition specific to pregnancy but the severity of Natalie's condition is rare. Her children, Blake and Sienna, were delivered early because of the risks associated with it.

Mark, a self-professed 'non-runner' completed the race in 62 minutes and said he really enjoyed it but there was definitely a 'sombre' note to the day.

Natalie, who is marketing manager at Kendal College, said it was a 'mixed atmosphere' on the day and that the minute's silence was a moment she would 'never forget'.

"I spent that first two kilometres bit of an emotional mess because it was really surreal," the 33-year-old said. "A lot of people were running for the 22 that died on Monday and then beside them there would be someone doing it for a child they had lost in a separate incident."

Natalie, who grew up in Royton, Greater Manchester, said that the incident felt 'really close to home'.

"I grew up going to concerts in the arena and it's pretty scary how it was targeted," she said. "But in terms of doing the run I was never not doing it.

"That's not the example that I want to show my children - that they have to live in fear."

She noted that there was a big police presence which she said was reassuring. She also said there were big queues outside of the tattoo parlours, with people lining up to get inked with the Manchester bee.

"I think that positivity of people locally will really drive everybody forward," she said.

Eleanor Beech, Kendal, attends The University of Manchester and ran with other girls from SPORT Manchester to raise money for the Christie and Bloodwise.

Lisa Dutfield, Kendal, ran the half marathon for the British Red Cross emergency fund and has raised more than £300. Matt Smith, Kendal, and Lizzie Whitehead, Bolton-le-Sands, ran the half in aid of the British Heart Foundation and have raised £805 so far.

For Claire Steele, Ingleton, it was the first 10km she has completed since injuring her knee more than two years ago. "It was a difficult decision but definitely the right one," she said. "Manchester did the country proud."

And Amy Maud, from Grange-over-Sands, was another participant and raised more than £300 for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and completed the 10km in 1hr 5mins.

Vicki Wright, Kendal, undertook the 10km distance and has raised £585 for Lancaster's St John's Hospice, which cared for her grandparents when they were terminally ill.

Also from Kendal was Curtis Jackson and Sias Delport who ran the half marathon for The Alzheimer's Society.

"Manchester stood defiant and we were proud to stand with them!," said Curtis.

For Geoff and Mary Monkman, Ings, the half marathon was a 'personal challenge' and their first event together as a married couple.

Joe Danson, 20, from Lancaster ran 13.1 mile distance for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and has so far raised £150.

And also from Lancaster was Shaun and Dawn Gash, Andrew Hartley, Kat Yearon and Gavin Levitt who undertook the race in aid of Lancaster Bulldogs wheelchair basketball team, of which Shaun is a coach.

The group raised about £500 for the team and said the atmosphere on the day was 'just electric'.

"It goes to show that although we have all these atrocities, as a community we come together," he said.