Competitors filled the streets of Thurgoland, his former home, for the first 'Billy the Kid' dash in honour of the 23-year-old killed in Afghanistan.

The circular course had a special poignancy, for it followed a route fitness fanatic David ran many times in training.

After the race his young widow Claire and sister Katy planted a tree of remembrance outside his former local, The Bridge Inn.

Lifelong friend and co-organiser of the race, Adam Oldham, 23, said supporters had only had three weeks to organise the event and the turnout showed just how loved the former Penistone Grammar school student had been.

He added: "He was very popular, he really was a man of the community. Everyone always wanted to be in his company and they were so sad when he died.

"He had such charisma and joy for life, the world really messed up there."

David, of 40 Commando, was killed alongside a colleague on patrol in the southern Helmand Province in February. They were treated at the scene before being taken to a field hospital at Camp Bastion, but died of their wounds.

David's funeral in Bolterstone in April was attended by 600 people. It came a year and a day after he and Claire got married. The couple had just moved to Taunton in Somerset with their one-year-old daughter, Molly.

Adam said the 'Billy the Kid' race name came from a tattoo David had on his chest while in Las Vegas with the marines.

"He was out on there on tour and they had a few days off and he came back from a night out in Las Vegas with the tattoo," he said. "I think he got into the spirit of being a cowboy and because it was David he really carried it off."

The race raised £2,500 for the Royal Marines Benevolent Fund, and follows a £1,000 donation raised from a collection at his funeral.

Adam added: "I don't think people realise we are at war, people are being killed and injured.

"There's not enough publicity for the fact young guys are out there risking their lives."

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