Sunshine and smiles were the order of the day as thousands of people ran round York and many more cheered them on in the 2016 Yorkshire Marathon.
Ray Matthews – who earlier this year at the age of 75 ran 75 marathons in 75 days – got the race underway alongside triple gold medal Paralympian Hannah Cockroft.
Large and enthusiastic crowds cheered the runners as they left the University of York campus and snaked their way through the heart of the city and out into the villages and country lanes before heading back to a hero’s welcome at the university.
First across the finish line was Paul Martelletti a time of 2:19:36. He was followed by Tom Charles who clocked 2:27:28 to take second place with Scott Harrington finishing third in 2:28:05.
The first woman home was Sarah Lowery in 2:45:53. Joasia Zakrzewski recorded 2:49:05 to take second spot and Michelle Nolan was third in 2:54:24.
The winning wheelchair athlete was Callum Hall in a time of 2:01:35. Callum’s fiance, Paralympian Jade Jones, was the fastest women’s wheelchair athlete in 2:03:51.
Among the well-known faces taking part were comedian Rob Deering, former Big Breakfast presenter Paul Tonkinson, Educating Yorkshire’s English teacher Matthew Burton.
The 10 Mile race was won by Joe Sagar in 54:01, with Joseph Monk second in 54:17 and Jordan Howe taking third place in 54:35. First woman home was Victoria Whitehead who clocked 1:02:44. Sarah Douglas finished second in 1:03:08 and Michelle Dorrington was third in 1:03:45.
Among the 10 Milers were BBC TV stars Harry Gration and Nicola Rees, along with race starter Ray Matthews. They were joined by 80 year old Jean Snelling from York Knavesmire Harriers, who clocked an impressive 1:06:07.
