More than 3,000 runners braved the wind and rain to take part in the Sport Relief run on Brighton seafront.

They were joined in Madeira Drive by a host of celebrities including DJ Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis and former Olympic champion Sally Gunnell.

There were more than 200 Sport Relief runs around Britain yesterday morning and Brighton and Hove hosted one of 23 flagship miles.

The event began in 2002 and raised £14 million in its first year with close to half a million people taking part across the country last year.

People had the option of running one, three or six miles to raise money for Comic Relief.

Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis said he was inspired to take part by double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell.

The rowing champion travelled from Britain to Africa, completing the journey by swimming from Gibraltar to Morocco.

Mr Paphitis said: "I was in Ethiopia with James Cracknell and he was telling me that he was going to row across the Channel, cycle down to Gibraltar and swim across to Africa and I went, Wow'.

"I was so moved with the work that everyone was doing with Sport Relief that I agreed to run a mile. After a few more beers I agreed to run three miles."

Sally Gunnell, the 400m hurdles gold medallist, was warming up to run with her children.

She said: "I'm supporting Sport Relief and looking forward to running the mile today.

"It's a bit shorter than normal but I have got all my boys here and it's the first time we are all going to be running together."

Brighton and Hove Mayor Carol Theobald completed one mile with her friends.

She said: "We had a great time and it's quite warm once you get walking."

Cricket star Rosalie Birch, who plays for the England and Sussex women's teams, said: "I have run the Sport Relief mile with my Sussex team mates.

"There were seven of us running round and one of the girls was with her son, Toby, who has raised money from his friends and family and nursery school.

"We're really pleased to be part of Sport Relief.

It's a fantastic charity and it's great to see all these people down here."

A Sports Relief spokeswoman said Brighton and Hove had one of the biggest turnouts in the country but the exact number of competitors was unknown.

She said the event nationally had so far raised more than £19.5 million but thousands of people were still collecting sponsorship.

All money raised will go towards Comic Relief's work helping vulnerable people in Britain and the world's poorest nations.

  • To view our photo gallery and order photos of the event, click here