Competitors in this year’s Bradford City Run were grateful for the slightly cooler weather today as they completed the gruelling 13-mile course from the Alhambra Theatre to Lister Park in Manningham.

More than 1,000 runners completed the notoriously hilly race, cheered on by the spectators that had gathered along their route.

Stephen Broadbent, from Saltaire, was the first runner over the line with a time of one hour, 15min and 47sec. The 37-year-old Bradford Council worker, who runs with Bingley Harriers, said: “It feels brilliant to have come first. It is a difficult course with lots of hills. I came second last year so I came back to win this year.”

David Thompson, 37, from Barnsley, took second place followed by Simon Pass, 40, from Saltaire. Mr Pass, who runs with Saltaire Striders, completed the course in one hour, 18min and 57sec. He said: “It is my first time in the Bradford City Run and the two runners in front of me were strong so I am pleased with third place. A lot of people will pick flat courses to improve their times but this is a very hard course and a tough half marathon.”

Haworth GP Jo Buckley was the first female runner to cross the finishing line with a time of one hour, 27min and 11sec. The 35-year-old, who runs with the Bingley Harriers, said she was delighted with her result. “It was really tough,” she said. “The weather was much cooler than yesterday but it was still quite warm and I was just glad when the rain came part way round.”

Telegraph & Argus senior reporter James Rush finished with a respectable time of one hour, 40min and 36sec. The 26-year-old, from Saltaire, said: “I am pleased with my time. It is the first time I have done it and it is a pretty tough course.”

Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Naveeda Ikram was waiting to cheer runners over the finish line, including a number of competitors who were raising money for her charity Marie Curie Cancer Care Bradford Hospice.

Coun Ikram said: “It has been a great event. There has been a great deal of participation and fantastic support for the runners all the way round the course.”

A fun run was also held in Lister Park on Sunday. Competitors of all ages took part in the event to raise money for a variety of charities.

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