15 reasons why the Yorkshire Marathon is now the world’s best
Thousands of big-hearted athletes pounded around the streets of York today as the second Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon proved to be another triumph.
Autumnal conditions dictated it was to be a jog in the fog, at least at the start.
Waved off by former England Rugby Union international and Question Of Sport star Matt Dawson, the runners set off from the University of York’s Heslington campus, made their way past city centre landmarks and out to Stamford Bridge, before returning to the university.
Famous faces among the runners included teacher Matthew Burton of Educating Yorkshire, comedian Rob Deering, former England footballerand BBC Look North’s Harry Gration and Amy Garcia.
It was the greatest. And here’s a few reasons why…
1. It was fun from before the word go
More #PYM2014selfie @bbcyork pic.twitter.com/GXJxVHuRZF
— Elly Fiorentini (@ellyfyork) October 12, 2014
Ready and raring to go! Bring it on #yorkmara!! #pym2014selfie #notaselfie pic.twitter.com/RpTrcckjIM
— Rebecca Shoemaker (@rebeccanbit) October 12, 2014
2. It started and ended in style
High fives! Good luck everyone @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/eaZdi8he0N
— Katharine Merry (@KatharineMerry) October 12, 2014
Good luck to the #teamorange runners this morning! Adorable race starters are ready to send runners off @TargetMD pic.twitter.com/1dIhvIMtWy
— Bex Johnson (@rebeccahjohnson) October 12, 2014
They're off! The @plusnet #yorkmara gets underway in the fog this morning. pic.twitter.com/IucKjnWqK5
— Ravage Productions (@ravageprod) October 12, 2014
And the 2014 Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon has officially started! Good luck everyone 🙂 pic.twitter.com/HKLoeMtjFA
— TheYorkshireMarathon (@RunYorkshire) October 12, 2014
3. Matt Dawson met everyone
#PYM2014selfie with the lovely @matt9dawson !!! #YorkshireMarathon pic.twitter.com/481nbKPl1h
— Laura (@laurdyLaura) October 12, 2014
@minsterfm loving the show @matt9dawson #PYM2014selfie #YorkMarathon pic.twitter.com/TtM89MQRtN
— Elizabeth Borrett (@elizabeth_jadeb) October 12, 2014
Matt Dawson selfie!!! @Esme_joy #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/0DPVZqBEgD
— Lucy Halsall (@LucyHalsall) October 12, 2014
Matt Dawson at the plus net marathon!! #WeAreYSJ #PYM2014selfie #WeAreVolleyball pic.twitter.com/4e0zZRu2xL
— Rob Pratt (@rob_pratt4) October 12, 2014
#PYM2014selfie @matt9dawson. pic.twitter.com/eHu7pqLbz4
— sarah chapman (@hippyhooch) October 12, 2014
Some of the @SLHYork team meet @matt9dawson and Joe from the Plusnet ads at the #yorkmara this morning. pic.twitter.com/lUxNKjWGRk
— Ravage Productions (@ravageprod) October 12, 2014
@yorkpress #yorkmara quick break from marshalling at the Baggage tent to meet @matt9dawson pic.twitter.com/xzTl8CHZUB
— Jo Arundel (@NuggetJo) October 12, 2014
4. But he wasn’t the only famous face
My brave Marathon Running Husband Mark with super Danny Mills at the #Yorkmara finish pic.twitter.com/xLYnM3XVT6
— Sarah Thompson (@ItsMeMilly) October 20, 2013
Get in! So happy to see mum and dad after that pic.twitter.com/jkACBvFKbk
— George Riley (@georgeyboy) October 12, 2014
After a PB at #yorkmara, @DeeringRob's on the way to London to prep for #shakewithlaughter – all for @ParkinsonsUK pic.twitter.com/vdsMx86tJ1
— Sarah Bull (@Sarah_Bull) October 12, 2014
They did it! @harrylooknorth and Amy Garcia are among the first over the line in the relay! @looknorth pic.twitter.com/Of1OHStJDr
— TheYorkshireMarathon (@RunYorkshire) October 12, 2014
First ever marathon completed in 4:36. Legs and soul scheduled to recover by mid December. NEVER AGAIN. Probably.
— Matthew Burton (@MatthewCBurton) October 12, 2014
5. Runners wore sunglasses. In the fog
Runners in York marathon emerge like apparitions from the fog..so I'm bemused as to why so many wore sunglasses pic.twitter.com/eGguYgjI6x
— Richard Day (@RDayysj) October 12, 2014
#yorkmara scheduled to start at 0930 providing everyone managed to get here thru fog. Flexibility the key . pic.twitter.com/AVcfcMRgZo
— DavidDunninguk (@daviddunninguk) October 12, 2014
The air thick with fog and now runners at Murton & the 18 mile marker. @BBCYork #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/7udf4IQPVq
— Jules Bellerby (@Julesradio) October 12, 2014
6. But then, we have the stylish dressers
Batman James #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/DN40qOgfHJ
— Geraldine Gray (@Gezziebell) October 12, 2014
Maybe not your favourite running partner. #yorkmara @plusnet @RunYorkshire http://t.co/IOxQco5JfO pic.twitter.com/vhTIYzwydk
— Martin Oates (@MartinYorkPress) October 12, 2014
Go #Dennisthemenace @yorkpress #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/xPWoDeLo0n
— NadiaJeffersonBrown (@NJeffersonBrown) October 12, 2014
Every @YorkshireMarathon needs an angel @yorkpress #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/AjOU9Ri0CO
— NadiaJeffersonBrown (@NJeffersonBrown) October 12, 2014
7. And we have the finest landmarks
Good luck to 7,000 runners ready to pound streets for Yorkshire Marathon
http://t.co/fIQPfPOqei #Yorkshire #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/uBQ32y9xDM
— The Yorkshire Post (@yorkshirepost) October 11, 2014
8. There were smiles for 26.2 miles
This soooo isn't our table @RunYorkshire #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/9SbjANZjzk
— Charlotte Leeming (@lottyleeming) October 12, 2014
#yorkmara awesome day! pic.twitter.com/4vEpxYdnAj
— Heather (@heatherdfulton) October 12, 2014
The crowds have gone but still smiling & still running in @RunYorkshire #yorkmara Live coverage @BBCYork 103.7 95.5fm pic.twitter.com/MNiQ5WSCmu
— Jonathan Cowap (@joncowap) October 12, 2014
9. People supported some fab causes
Lining up for #PYM2014selfie @plusnet @RunYorkshire Marathon. Raised £4,150 for Great North Air Ambulance, amazing! pic.twitter.com/rRhfTfnAin
— Sam Harrison (@SamJHarrison) October 12, 2014
So many charities benefitting from @RunYorkshire #yorkmara @epilepsysociety Coverage now @BBCYork 103.7 104.3 95.5fm pic.twitter.com/0oXow8CdPs
— Jonathan Cowap (@joncowap) October 12, 2014
#PYM2014SELFIE pic.twitter.com/NiOdFWnQil
— Sam Wright (@mamfamuppet) October 12, 2014
#yorkmara done!! Such an amazing experience and the best crowd ever! @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/VoGmTuSG03
— Rachel Davidson✌️ (@rachiee___) October 12, 2014
10. There were some inspired motivators
We're having a great time at the @plusnet Motivation Station for the @RunYorkshire Marathon! #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/TVNFzABZPf
— Banana Kick (@BananaKickUK) October 12, 2014
It's Yorkshire Marathon Day, The Street Team are ready to cheer everyone on. #pym2014selfie pic.twitter.com/AZs5sxPzAV
— Minster FM (@minsterfm) October 12, 2014
11. And some awesome supporters
.@RunYorkshire we're heading to Osbaldwick to cheer on Ali C! #pym2014selfie #yorkmara #godaddygo pic.twitter.com/cFZYKiKAc5
— Rebecca Craven (@BeckySee123) October 12, 2014
Go dad! #YorkshireMarathon #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/1LjImA8miL
— Elizabeth Borrett (@elizabeth_jadeb) October 12, 2014
An awesome day announcing at the finish line today for @RunYorkshire brilliant event. Brilliant runners. #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/T5j9TiijjG
— Martin Yelling (@myelling) October 12, 2014
12. We know how to celebrate
@RunYorkshire @EuansGift @TargetMD The pain was immense but worth it! #PYM2014selfie #yorkmara #TeamOrange pic.twitter.com/QtuRra816y
— Paddy Lightfoot (@PadwaLighty) October 12, 2014
Well SRCCas came they saw and they conquered. well done everyone some amazing performance #yorkmara @sweatshoponline pic.twitter.com/BYOdij5igU
— Warmenoughforshorts (@dvet78) October 12, 2014
#PYM2014selfie @plusnet @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/5b5CE44vN3
— Michael Hall (@hallmichaelr) October 12, 2014
13. The elite athletes were astonishing
The winner of the @plusnet #yorkmara is Boniface Kongin from Kenya. Well done 🙂 pic.twitter.com/M5qM2bNQ7F
— TheYorkshireMarathon (@RunYorkshire) October 12, 2014
Our first female is Shona Fletcher from Northallerton. #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/kNZknsCiIt
— TheYorkshireMarathon (@RunYorkshire) October 12, 2014
First wheelchair athlete finisher! @YSJphysiosoc #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/Z3kJOLruP9
— Lucy Halsall (@LucyHalsall) October 12, 2014
14. And so were the volunteers
Yorkshire marathon volunteer! #PYM2014selfie #PlusnetYorkshireMarathon #FirstYearPhysio #WeAreYSJ #WeAreVolleyball pic.twitter.com/U8qWPQXduW
— Rob Pratt (@rob_pratt4) October 12, 2014
Great (but cold) day volunteering at the @plusnet Yorkshire Marathon #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/fhYIAIvoDt
— Jessica Lenderyou (@JessLend) October 12, 2014
Equivalent of TdF broom wagon passing me on route of #Yorkmara onA166 ready 2 pick up spent stragglers later @BBCYork pic.twitter.com/a8lDBv4S7H
— Jules Bellerby (@Julesradio) October 12, 2014
Volunteering selfie!! @harrietorbell #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/suazH8S8bA
— Sophie Rees (@sophierees95) October 12, 2014
15.…and we take medal-winning selfies!
Great event! Looking forward to next year… #yorkmara #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/S7Dtxu0atl
— Mike Haydon (@hikemaydon) October 12, 2014
6hrs50minutes later and people are still going.. They are amazing!! #PYM2014selfie pic.twitter.com/RL5udgw0wr
— Harriet Orbell (@harrietorbell) October 12, 2014
Well that was amazing! Yorkshire you were awesome. #yorkmara #PYM2014selfie @lottyleeming @KeeleyDonovan @kcrewders pic.twitter.com/ztCllH7v2g
— Nicola Rees (@Nicola_Rees) October 12, 2014
@RunYorkshire #PYM2014selfie #yorkmara pic.twitter.com/aJNOq7pvu4
— Christopher Nash (@blackberrychris) October 12, 2014
@RunYorkshire #PYM2014selfie us at the @DiabetesUK cheer point – loud & proud at around 15 miles at @theballoontree pic.twitter.com/UugMho0TqV
— Lindsey Coulson (@Lindseylootwo) October 12, 2014
@RunYorkshire finish selfie 3.05 get In!! Fantastic morning #PYM2014selfie . #YorkMarathon pic.twitter.com/P3NvLPxHvP
— Chris Farrell (@CFworldrecord) October 12, 2014
Finish line selfie! #PYM2014selfie @RunYorkshire pic.twitter.com/zzCdNdDZD8
— Paul Martelletti (@marders) October 12, 2014
See you next year!