A RECORD field of 2,000 runners today took to the streets of Bradford to raise £42,000, for Epilepsy Action.

The 10k race was won for a second successive year by Joe Sagar, 22, of Spenborough Athletics Club (AC), who crossed the finishing line in a time of 33 minutes and 13 seconds.

He finished ahead of second-placed Sam Clegg, 31, of Rotherham Harriers, who clocked a time of 33.32. This was the same first two finishers as last year’s race.

In third place was Craig Shearer, of Keighley & Craven AC, in 33.46.

EPILEPSY ACTION 10K RESULTS

Runners had to battle with the elements, as a mixture of wind, rain and sunshine greeted them during the race.

Mr Sagar, of Cleckheaton, said: “It was a lot harder this year than last year.

“It was tough with the wind.”

His rival, Mr Clegg, of Rotherham Harriers and who lives in Idle, said: “I was second last year and I hope to beat Joe one day. It is a friendly rivalry between us.

“I was struggling with the wind.”

The first woman to complete the course was Jen Walsh, of Wakefield Harriers, in 36.28, who also finished in 13th place overall.

She said: “It was good to be the first woman back.

“I have never ran a run as windy as that before. There was a lot of support from people during the course, especially when people knew I was the first woman to finish.”

The second woman to finish was Emma Raven, of Central AC, in 38.36, for 26th place overall. The third woman back was Rachel Boyd, of Saltaire Striders, in 39.05, for 31st place overall.

The runners tackled the flat course, which started and finished in Centenary Square via Frizinghall.

Among those putting on their trainers was Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Alun Griffiths, who completed the course in 49.45.

Cllr Griffiths completed the run as part of his training for next month’s London Marathon.

He said: “I have now done this run three times. It was a good event today.

“I was pleased with how I did.

“It is good for Bradford to hold events like this.”

There were also prizes given out for the fastest male and female runners aged 21 and under.

The Alice Redmond prizes went to Elizabeth Heard in 43.57 and Ryan Cartwright, of Vegan Runners, in 37.33. It is in memory of Alice Redmond, who was involved in the development of the Bradford 10k. The prizes were presented by her parents, Steve and Liz Redmond.

But the course record remains at 31.02, achieved by Tesfaye Debele in 2013.

Now the event has attracted more than 10,200 runners since it began in 2008 in aid of the Yeadon-based charity.

The funds raised from the race will go towards supporting the 600,000 people with epilepsy in the UK, more than 50,000 of them live in Yorkshire and the Humber.

Winners received sports shoe vouchers and the first-placed male and female won places in next year’s event.

Athletics clubs from across the Bradford district and beyond, including Bury in Greater Manchester, were represented in the tenth race.

Carl Foster, fundraising events officer at Epilepsy Action, said: “The people of Bradford have always been hugely supportive of this event.

“A record 2,000 runners signed up, making this tenth race our biggest yet.

“It’s been a fantastic morning with so many people out enjoying the race and supporting people with epilepsy.

“Special thanks must go to all of the runners, volunteers, marshals and people who came to cheer on the participants.

“All of the funds raised at this event are vital in helping Epilepsy Action to continue to deliver its life-changing services.”