Hundreds of cheering fans flocked to Front Street to watch the Butterfield Mile last night.

Runners in the first leg of the Bermuda Triangle Challenge faced clear weather conditions throughout the evening.

The excitement began with members of the Royal Bermuda Regiment and Bermuda Island Pipes bands marching down Front Street at about 6.30pm.

The fun continued when about a dozen mascots, including Vern from Butterfield Bank, the Warwick Academy Bear and Gilly from the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, sprinted from Pier Six to the flagpole.

A bull mascot won this event, crossing the finish hooves ahead of his competition and earning a $1,000 donation for his chosen charity.

Felix the Bermuda Road Safety Ranger stayed true to his turtle species and was last of the mascots to finish.

Participants in the Open Mile event were met with thunderous applause as they bolted from the start near the ferry terminal to Seon Place, between Spurling Hill and King Street, and back to the flagpole.

Ashley’s Lemonade, Bermuda Craft Brewing, Dandy Donuts and several other vendors offered food and treats for sale at the event.

One spectator, wishing to only be identified by the nickname “Pins”, turned out to watch two of his colleagues compete.

He said: “So far so good, I just wish I could see more of the participants, as I have not seen my friends yet.”

Lesiline Williams, from Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, said: “A minimum of ten people from our youth group came to support an 8-year-old boy from our group competing in the children’s event, we look forward to seeing him.”

Another spectator, Evin Mosley, was already at a Front Street pub when the event started.

He said: “I don’t know if any colleagues are taking part, but I came down here after knocking off from work and met up with friends.”

Record-breaking British Olympian Paula Radcliffe handed out medals to Butterfield Mile finishers and will be competing in the 10K race today.

Ms Radcliffe, who won both the London and Chicago marathon three times and broke the world marathon record twice, will also present medals at the marathon tomorrow.