Ian Fisher of Otley AC was a convincing winner of the inaugural BRADFORD CITY RUN with a 52min 50sec time for the ten-mile course.

This left him almost three minutes clear of Stewart Macdonald (Bingley Harriers), who was first over-40 home in 55:41.

Fisher’s time was particularly impressive given the tough nature of a route that included over two miles of continuous climbing from the halfway mark near City Square to the top of Bowling Park. Indeed, the lead cyclists could barely keep ahead in places.

Macdonald fronted a chasing pack which featured Alistair Langron (Holmfirth) and Panos Aristotelous (Valley Striders). He gradually broke away after the four-mile mark near Valley Parade.

Other well-placed locals included Quentin Lewis (Baildon Runners), continuing his run of good form with fifth place in 58:05, and Darren Burnley (Pudsey Pacers), who capped his excellent recent form in sixth with 58:43.

Bradford-Airedale’s Gerard Mills was ninth (59:12) and Jon Dawson (Bingley Harriers) 13th in 60:17, while Queensbury’s Martin Firth was first over-50 in 14th (61:03) ahead of Will Kerr (St Bede’s) in 15th (61:42).

Tony Kingham of Bingley Harriers, winner of the 1983 Bradford Marathon, maintained his city links to take second place in the male over-60 category.

The event plans to offer a marathon in future, as well as the current five-mile and ten-mile options.

Meanwhile, 168 off-roaders finished the BRONTE WAY eight-miler from Wycoller to Haworth organised by Keighley & Craven AC.

The host club sent out joint-winners Willy Smith and recent recruit Jorge Thomas, the pair clocking 53min 23sec to finish almost five minutes clear of Martyn Pollitt.

The first lady home was Pudsey Pacers’ Karen Pickles in an impressive 14th place overall.

Many local athletes made the journey east for the BRIDLINGTON HALF MARATHON.

In-form Andrew Pearson (Longwood Harriers) won by four and a half minutes, with Julian Mawson (Otley AC) seventh in 75min 06sec ahead of Tim Midgley (Bingley Harriers, 75:58).

Amy Green (Keighley & Craven) was second lady in 86:32 and Claire Elener led home a large group from Eccleshill Road Runners in 72nd (89:06) from a field of almost 700 finishers.