Blessed with sunshine, the third Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon was another fantastic affair, filled with smiles, colour and amazing endeavour.
Waved off by a start party that included teacher Matthew Burton from Channel 4’s Educating Yorkshire and BBC Look North’s Harry Gration, the field set off from the University of York, made its way into the city centre passing landmarks including the Minster and then headed out to Stamford Bridge before returning to the university.
First across the finish line was Edwin Korir in a time of 2:15:06.
It was the second victory in three years for the Kenyan, although he failed to topple his course record of 2:13:31 set in the marathon’s inaugural year in 2013.
Nathan Kilcourse clocked 2:24:35 to come in second and Jackson Biwott was third in 2:31:01.
First woman home was Joasia Zakrzewski in 2:48:48, followed by Rose Nicholson in 2:49:53 with Tori Green taking third place in 2:50:32.
First male wheelchair athlete to finish was Bret Crossley in a time of 1:48:30.
For the first time, the marathon runners were complemented by 2,000 people taking part in the Yorkshire 10-Miler.
All in all it was another tremendous day. And here are 16 reasons why…
1. The great atmosphere from start to finish
What a fantastic sight at the start of the #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/dxFv1XHRGV
— TheYorkshireMarathon (@RunYorkshire) October 11, 2015
They're off! Let's go #yorkmara Have a great @RunYorkshire everyone! Run with Yorkshire pride! pic.twitter.com/94p2ATnNMH
— Marathon Talk (@marathontalk) October 11, 2015
Runners pass #York Minster on #Duncombe Place in #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/R0i4R3UZqe
— Phil Bodmer (@philbodmer) October 11, 2015
Fantastic atmosphere on the finish of @RunYorkshire Well done to all and all of #Yorkshire for cheering! #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/H7pSNfACye
— Kevin Harris (@kevinharrisTV) October 11, 2015
2. The superb setting
Congratulations all competitors of @YorkshireMara #yorkmara , a real test of endurance! Round up in @yorkshirepost 2m pic.twitter.com/YgqkdMXqJs
— Anthony Chappel-Ross (@AnthonyChappelR) October 11, 2015
The leaders pass the Minster during today’s @runyorkshire #yorkmara @yorkpress pic.twitter.com/jiun4NuegC
— Ed Mezzetti (@EdMezzpress) October 11, 2015
3. The superheroes
Welcome back Ted & Tom! Very well done! #yorkmara #teammartinhouse pic.twitter.com/mhp53JInEK
— Martin House Hospice (@MartinHouseCH) October 11, 2015
The "Mad Man with the Pram" – John Burkhill.
He's raised over half a million pounds, running 953 races! #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/dZn1X9N8qX
— Gareth Barlow (@GarethBarlow) October 11, 2015
@MacNEYorks Delighted with 3:43! Thanks for your support! #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/gfZhOvEBkS
— Caroline Warrington (@cwarrington77) October 11, 2015
Can't beat a high five from a superhero on the home stretch @yorkpress #yorkmara @yorkshiremarathon pic.twitter.com/bTAYDaNitN
— NadiaJeffersonBrown (@NJeffersonBrown) October 11, 2015
4. The ballerinas and princesses
A bunch of reprobates: @gos75 @rustyw5 @TeamB_O_B (and me) ready for @RunYorkshire 🙂 pic.twitter.com/0fdNhGkTz8
— Mike Wells (@mikew30) October 11, 2015
5. The fab hairstyles
Here was today's pink/black hair @RunYorkshire #ukrunchat pic.twitter.com/Y4u7wquVrI
— Mohican Runner (@mohicanrunner) October 11, 2015
More runners in the Plusnet Yorkshire marathon @yorkshirepost @RunYorkshire #yplive @harrylooknorth pic.twitter.com/CLOHuepWdh
— Gary Longbottom (@YpGary) October 11, 2015
6. The family affairs
Never too old to start #running!
@ReesTricia started at 55, now she's 61 & doing #YorkMara!
http://t.co/dRiSyNAe3k pic.twitter.com/Owm05e7t98
— Ai Lyn (@AiLyn_Runner) October 7, 2015
Before and after the @RunYorkshire's marathon + 10 mile. Managed a new PR and my mum smashed it too, going sub 2hrs pic.twitter.com/KlwnBdVULT
— Matthew Cockerill (@MJCockerill) October 11, 2015
We did it! So proud of my mum for smashing her first ever marathon ???? #legend #yorkshiremarathon @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/qzmoRPAPhf
— Matt Norman (@dieseuntjie) October 11, 2015
@RunYorkshire great day!!Fantastic organisation for runners and supporters. Great goodie bag and tshirt.Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/WvWodRwyle
— bemassaged (@bemassagedhgte) October 11, 2015
My daughter seems pretty impressed with my @RunYorkshire #Marathon medal and time of 3:37:25! pic.twitter.com/cyQfziPPNx
— Andrew Fairley (@andrewfhimself) October 11, 2015
Came home to this. Love my boys. Was so great to see my little supporters en route #yorks10mile pic.twitter.com/8ldhSOjTkl
— Holly Hennell (@HollyRHennell) October 11, 2015
7. The wonderful supporters
Thank you @RunYorkshire #YorkMara for another PB!
Crowds, supporters & volunteers were AMAZING!
#ukrunchat
#Marathon pic.twitter.com/xT7QGzUtyH
— Ai Lyn (@AiLyn_Runner) October 11, 2015
Crossing the finish line at #Yorkmara! Amazing crowds! pic.twitter.com/eDLqY9wvhF
— Nicola Rees (@Nicola_Rees) October 11, 2015
Another good day supporting the #Yorkmara. Another good finish for #supermark -well done to all who took part ???????? pic.twitter.com/jFGyrU8zkD
— Sarah Thompson (@ItsMeMilly) October 11, 2015
At 11 miles cheering on the #YorkMara runners with some help from @SLHYork whackers! pic.twitter.com/BqHXWupKYn
— Peter Quinn (@PeteQYork) October 11, 2015
@yorkpress A supporter handing out jelly babies to #yorkmara runners pic.twitter.com/PDAxkzJYq5
— NadiaJeffersonBrown (@NJeffersonBrown) October 11, 2015
The #yorkmara runners are streaming through Murton on the outskirts of York – huge support from the crowds. pic.twitter.com/fhFbHauasD
— Gareth Barlow (@GarethBarlow) October 11, 2015
8. The epic volunteers
Had a great time today volunteering @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/4YGhT5I732
— Steve Kjar (@UK_London_MN) October 11, 2015
9. The great charities
Some more of our fab #AppealTeam #yorkmara runners from today! #incredible people pic.twitter.com/J7wfEwLnl6
— JaneTomlinson Appeal (@janesappeal) October 11, 2015
@DiabetesUK any photos from today's marathon #YorkMara start & finish photos attached. pic.twitter.com/ZDyrjfPpL9
— Rhianna Rose (@RoseyRhianna) October 11, 2015
And they're off! @RunYorkshire #teammacmillan pic.twitter.com/Rs7TLLU5zw
— Challenge Events (@TeamMacmillan) October 11, 2015
10. The famous faces
@Nicola_Rees and @harrylooknorth are ready! #yorkmara #yorks10mile pic.twitter.com/vZtRGQEm2r
— TheYorkshireMarathon (@RunYorkshire) October 11, 2015
More celeb spotting, this time @MatthewCBurton from #educatingyorkshire finding it tough at 17 mile mark #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/0tZqdANcSH
— anna wallace (@anna69wallo) October 11, 2015
Here's @harrylooknorth passing #York Minster in the 'Ten' miler – #YorkMara congratulations to all taking part! pic.twitter.com/RbNAMPP0qy
— Phil Bodmer (@philbodmer) October 11, 2015
11. The fantastic athletes
cheeky selfie at the start line with @RunYorkshire #YorkMara winner Edwin Korir #legend #ukrunchat #marathon pic.twitter.com/OQDw2iEfuI
— Andy Wright (@andy5000miles) October 11, 2015
Lead runners pass the Minster #yorkmara #york @runforall pic.twitter.com/ui0UjfOTHJ
— Paul Napier (@PaulJNapier) October 11, 2015
12. The smiles
And still they come – Runners in #YorkMara through Duncombe Place in #York – See anyone you know? @BBCYork pic.twitter.com/yXjJIrTXVA
— Jonathan Cowap (@joncowap) October 11, 2015
Enjoyed running @RunYorkshire early today, found it harder than last year but still had a smile on my face #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/OSnjeauu6J
— Matthew Norgate (@colony79) October 11, 2015
13. The sense of achievement
Proud of their achievements @RunYorkshire @patrickharness #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/pw2ZKJKm81
— Hanna Harness (@MarshallLucy) October 11, 2015
WOW!!! Smashed my marathon PB today – under 2hrs 30min @RunYorkshire (exact time tbc)!! 2nd in the wheelchair race!! pic.twitter.com/6R7jDVyoJY
— Christopher Nash (@blackberrychris) October 11, 2015
@HugBlackpool #yorkmara done! My 12 #marathons in 12 months is complete #Running4HUGs pic.twitter.com/YyUEbpRZBG
— Katie Phillips (@RunningFairy) October 11, 2015
#yorkmara #tough #nicemedal pic.twitter.com/GbhAmQ44jy
— designrach (@designrach) October 11, 2015
#thisgirlcan do the @RunYorkshire #yorkmara Now just about to hit York for a #beer and #thaicurry ???????? pic.twitter.com/20cUTj5Ee9
— Ninja Breeze (@NinjaRunGirl) October 11, 2015
14. The post-race celebrations
@RunYorkshire before n after the #yorkmara, top day, nice beer in student bar, Irish pub calling, @Paul_Lofthouse pic.twitter.com/YkmRTGAf8V
— Andy Brown (@Tartanboro) October 11, 2015
Thanks to @TheLeedsBrewery for making sure the first drink post-race was a free & a good'un! @RunYorkshire #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/nF02FOc9R2
— Stephen Morland (@stephenmorland) October 11, 2015
.@Chez011095 #yorkmara #ukrunchat @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/fa3fiVkUcS
— Running Specialist (@MichaelPhanPT) October 11, 2015
15. The brilliant organisation
Such a well organised event. Great fun to be a supporter. #yorkmara @RunYorkshire Well done @PhilipRLang pic.twitter.com/vEihjUVWSs
— kate lang (@kcello) October 11, 2015
16. And the plans to do it all again…
Well now I've put a marker down for myself I'll have to go again next year! (Took me all of 20 mins to decide that!)#yorkmara @RunYorkshire
— Ian Carnegie (@iancarnegieruns) October 11, 2015