Photo gallery: Everyone is a winner at York 10K 2014

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Photos from the race by Simon Dewhurst Photography. Click to see the full image

With around 6,500 entrants, the sixth Asda Foundation York 10K proved to be the biggest to date. And it was the most colourful too.

The race, part of the legacy of the inspirational Jane Tomlinson, raised tens of thousands of pounds for a host of good causes.

Crowds of enthusiastic spectators added to the spectacle as they cheered the participants making their way around the course, which started and finished alongside York Racecourse and took in some of the city’s magnificent landmarks including the Minster and Clifford’s Tower.

First across the line was James Bulman in a time of 32:38. Frank Beresford took second place in 32:43, with Steve Robinson third in 32:58; the top three men being just 20 seconds apart.

The first woman home was Emma Yates in 38:11. Second place went to Victoria Needham who finished in 38:27 ahead of Michelle Nolan who was third in 38:53.

The fastest wheelchair athlete was Neil Malcolm in 32:30.

Justin Arnold took a little longer (1:17:18) but then the 41-year-old writer and former teacher did tackle the run dressed in a 25lb Star Wars Stormtrooper outfit to raise money for anti-bullying charity Kidscape…

Another who took part in a costume was Linda Brown, of Escrick, near York, who made her way round the route dressed as a crocodile, the mascot of Special Needs Activities and Play Provision for York (SNAPPY), the charity for which she and her husband, David, were taking part.

Also delighted to cross the line were the four Sheppard brothers – David, Peter, Ray and Richard who have a combined age of 275.

The Leeds-born pensioners ran to celebrate 73-year-old David’s successful battle against cancer and to raise money for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which supports children’s and cancer charities.

The field included hundreds of business men and women taking part in the Morrison Utility Services Corporate Challenge, in which companies and other organisations competed to be crowned the city’s fastest firm.

The results of the challenge, based on the average time of the first three team members home, will be announced soon.

There were huge cheers for the hundreds of youngsters taking part in the Arena Group York Mini and Junior Runs, which followed the completion of the 10K.

Youngsters taking part in the free fun runs were encouraged to run for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal or another charity of their choice.

The appeal is this year supporting York Carers Centre’s Young Carers Service, which supports youngsters aged 8-18 who help care for a parent or sibling with either a physical or mental disability.

“Our sixth York 10K was a real success and we are grateful to all those involved for the wonderful support they gave the event,” said event lead Keith Taylor, of Run For All.

“York is a beautiful city and that helps to attract the enormous number of runners and spectators that make the event so special.”