A FIELD of racegoers enjoyed a jubilant atmosphere as they packed into City Park for the annual Bradford City Runs.

Entrants could tackle a 5k, 10k or half-marathon route and there was also a special mile-long route for children.

The route took runners through Bradford city centre, Little Germany, around the Broadway shopping centre, as well as the University of Bradford, Bradford College, City Hall and City Park.

Mark Hetherington, City Runs race director, said 1,050 people entered the adult races and around 350 for the children's race, which he said was up by around 150 last year and described it as the "biggest it has been".

"It has been brilliant," he said. "Everyone from the Council has done a really good job with the infrastructure.

"All the volunteers have been really enthusiastic, it has gone really smoothly this year.

"Every big city should have a big city running event and this is the obvious one for Bradford. It's based in City Park, it's got a loop that goes around scenic bits of the city centre, so I think it's really important that a city the size of Bradford should have an event like this.

"Each year this event is getting better organised, it's getting more participants and hopefully next year will be really big again."

In the 10k race, Craig Shearer, of Barlick Fell Runners, was first home overall in a time of 34 minutes 18 seconds. He was followed by Chris Williams, of Queensbury Running Club in 35:52 and David Song in 35:54.

The overall winner of the 5k race was Joseph Kirton, of Keighley and Craven AC, in 19:25 and he was followed by Michael Mcinnes, from Skipton AC, who crossed the finish line with a time of 19:28. In at third was Ewan Gibb, from Saltaire Striders, who finished in a time of 19:40

This year's half-marathon title was won by Terence Forest, of Cairngorm Runners, in one hour 14 minutes and 10 seconds.

He also took home the title last year and said: "I'm feeling great. I love this event."

April Caufield, of Halifax Harriers, also defended her title and took the top women's spot for the half-marathon, finishing in one hour 29 minutes and 24 seconds.

"I'm just really happy as I came first last year - I wanted to defend my title and I've done it."

She added that she was running in memory of her grandmother, who recently passed away. And in the children's race, all top three spots were taken by members of Keighley and Craven AC. James Sadler-Townsend finished in five minutes and 48 seconds, while Lachlan Wills and Katie Buckley crossed the line in 6:15 and 6:18 respectively.

Khalil Benkhalil ran with a group representing the Penny Appeal, a charity which works across Asia, the Middle East and Africa to help break the cycle of poverty. 

"I thought it was fantastic, just as a Bradfordian, seeing the community coming out, running together from all different backgrounds," he said. 

"We represent the charity Penny Appeal and it's just great to see so many different causes coming out, doing something together and everyone helping each other - it's absolutely amazing." 

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council's executive member for Environment, Sport & Culture, said the city centre was "buzzing".

"It's fantastic to see so many people taking part and of all age groups," she said.

"Events like this are very good for the city, very good for people across the district, but also for the fundraising element."

The event raises money for the University of Bradford-based Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU). Ajay Mahajan, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Director of PSBRU, praised the atmosphere of the event and said the unit couldn't thank organisers enough for their support.

RESULTS

5k:

1. Joseph Kirton, Keighley & Craven AC - 19:25

2. Michael Mcinnes, Skipton AC - 19:28

3. Ewan Gibb, Saltaire Striders - 19:40

4. Hamish Wills, Wharfedale Harriers - 19:53

5. Ann Marie Bulcock, Skipton AC - 20:46

6. Simon Jenkins, Ilkley Harriers - 21:22

7. Marijn Kap - 21:49

8. Emer Dudley, Roberttown Road Runners - 22:01

9. Peter Rush, Roundhay Runners - 22:06

10. Dominic Kirton, Keighley & Craven AC - 22:13

10k

1. Craig Shearer, Barlick Fell Runners - 34:18

2. Chris Williams, Queensbury Running Club - 35:52

3. David Song - 35:54

4. Angus Milne, Hyde Park Harriers - 36:30

5. Martin Fillingham, Saltaire Striders - 36:46

6. Michael Vargas, Hyde Park Harriers - 37:58

7. Richard Ettenfield, Queen's Park Harriers - 38:47

8. Duncan Clark, Abbey Runners - 39:02

9. Chris Smith, Hyde Park Harriers - 39:05

10. Michael Dobson - 39:22

Half-marathon

1. Terence Forrest, Cairngorm Runners - 1:14:10

2. Neal Emmerson, Radcliffe AC - 1:17:28

3. David Smith, Rotherham Harriers & AC - 1:18:21

4. Rob James, Royton Road Runners - 1:19:58

5. Will Kerr, Saltaire Striders - 1:20:38

6. Tom Needham, Bingley Harriers & AC - 1:21:26

7. Stuart Dunbar, Saltaire Striders - 1:23:42

8. Adam Kirk, Nidd Valley Road Runners - 1:25:31

9. Duncan Quincey - 1:25:39

10. Ian Kenworthy, Saddleworth Runners - 1:27:30

Children's run

1. James Sadler-Townsend, Keighley & Craven AC - 5:48

2. Lachlan Wills, Keighley & Craven AC - 6:15

3. Katie Buckley, Keighley & Craven AC - 6:18

4. Abdul Osman Conteh - 6:24

5: Bethan Buckley, Keighley & Craven AC - 6:24

6: Ewen Wilkinson, Keighley & Craven AC - 6:25

7. Cameron Peel - 6:35

8. Lloyd Mcewan-Peters - 6:37

9. Alex Sadler Townsend, Keighley & Craven AC - 6:40

10. Charlie Schofield - 6:45