SUNDAY'S BRADFORD CITY RUNS half-marathon featured outstanding performances from Frank Beresford (Otley AC) and Saltaire's captain Will Kerr.

They formed a breakaway group with Jonathan Walton (Leeds City) and Tom Hooper (Bingley Harriers).

Hooper became detached on the second lap but held on for fourth (chip time 1hr 23min 7sec).

On the third and penultimate lap, Beresford kicked in with a punishing mile, before easing back to win in 75min 39sec. Kerr was well clear in second (77:46).

Beresford was second recently in the Vale of York Half Marathon in 72 minutes but has only started running seriously the past six months after a stint in the army.

He is benefitting from hard sessions several times a week with Bradfordian Ian Fisher.

For Kerr, this was a breakthrough after a disappointing spring. His personal best is from 15 years ago, but with the winding, hilly Bradford course, this time was arguably better.

"I've been unlucky with half marathons. I either do them when conditions are shocking or I do really tough ones which on a flat course would translate to a PB", he said.

Martin Firth was first over-50 in sixth (1:24:53), encouraged by 25 runners from Queensbury Running Club, for most of whom this was their first big race.

Rebecca Antcliffe and the evergreen Andrea Dennison (Bingley) battled it out for the female prizes. Rebecca edged home in 1:38:16. Bradford University's Jade Cawthorne was sixth (1:43:20).

Mags Beever (Stainland) and Caz Farrow (Ilkley) formed a high-class duo in the 10K. Beever finished in 40min 54sec, with Farrow second in 42:48.

Tom Midgley and Liam Dunne (both from Otley) were together for what Midgley found a hard-earned victory (35:24). Bingley's Sam Clegg was a fine fourth.

Nathaniel Stock and Elliot Thompson from Huddersfield's Longwood AC were the fastest juniors in fifth and sixth.

In the 5K, former clubmates Matt Nowell (16:54) and Gerard Mills (17:07, Bradford-Airedale) gained a quick, unassailable lead. Victoria Ryan, from BD2, was the first lady (22:46).

Sam Benson, from Keighley & Craven, dominated the Kids' Mile, winning in 6min 26sec, with Emily Baxter from Skyrac first girl in fifth (6:54).