IT WAS a day when thousands of runners reclaimed the streets of Southampton.

They came from across the country to turn roads around the city into a seething mass of humanity.

More than 5,000 people tackled the 13.5 miles of the ABP Southampton Half-Marathon while another 1,500 people took part in the 10k event.

The Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Linda Norris was joined by Saints’ FA Cup winning manager Lawrie McMenemy to count down to the start at Guildhall Square.

It would be a day which saw thousands of pounds raised for more than 500 good causes and a winning couple from Hampshire be the first man and the first woman, Matthew Revier and Laura Brenton, to cross the finish line.

Another Southampton couple will also be contacting wedding planners in the coming months after a race pace marker Jack Lawrence proposed to his girlfriend H’Eloise Hunt after she completed the race.

They were joined by thousands of other participants, ranging from a firefighter in full gear to Saints legends Matt Le Tissier and Francis Benali, as well as club chairman Ralph Krueger.

Speeding through in just over 33 minutes, 25-year old Tom Stevens was the first man to finish the 10k while Anna Whitfield was the first woman to finish the 10k and came in third overall behind Tom and 16-year old Keir Sullivan.

Satvir Kaur, communities portfolio holder for Southampton City Council, also took part with her teenage niece, Kimi.

Cllr Kaur said: “It was amazing, really, really great. The idea of running in a race like this is like asking someone to swim with snakes. That I managed to do it absolutely phenomenal to the point that I burst out crying as soon as I finished the race.”

The route took the runners to iconic city landmarks such as the Bargate, the Itchen Bridge, St Mary’s Stadium and Southampton Common.

One couple have two reasons to celebrate taking part in yesterday’s half-marathon – both ended up being the first to cross the line.

Matthew Revier was the first man to cross the finishing line while his girlfriend Laura Brenton joined him just a few moments later being the fastest woman on the circuit.

The pair, who have only been going out for a couple of months, but have known each other for two years, hugged and kissed each other after finishing just over an hour after they started.

Struggling to catch his breath after the dramatic race, Matthew, 26, who lives in Shirley, said: “I loved it, the crowds were amazing. I was relaxed on the flat. The support from the crowds was incredible.

“I was getting a bit tired toward the end, especially with the hills.”

In what could have been a disastrous start to the race, someone stepped on Laura’s shoes, forcing her to stop to get it back on.

Despite this setback the 29-year old crossed the line ahead of the pack to cheers from the crowds who were lining up to see the runners.

Laura, from Bassett, said: “It was great that both of us won – usually one of us has a good race and the other a bad one, so it's good that we both did well together.

Matthew, who works for Aviva Insurance in Chandlers Ford, added: “She got tripped from behind so I said you’ve got to stop. I stopped with her and made sure she got the shoe back on.”

She added: “Then I just had to work really hard through the next two miles and I caught the header at Ocean Village.”

Laura had plenty of cheers to get her round the course. “I heard at least 10 ‘go on miss’ and lots of ‘oh my god there’s my teacher!’”

Although the pair train together at the same club, they stick to easy runs when out together so they can match each other’s pace. But they’re still competitive with each other.

Laura, a PE teacher at the Gregg School in Townhill Park, said: “When I heard people shouting out that he was in the lead I thought there’s no way I can come second now! I’m really pleased I’ve done it now – I’ve never done a half marathon before. Although I would have liked an easier course, the route from Woodmill onwards is my run home from work so I know that section well.”