A group of St Bede’s adventurers who survived their recent Grand Canyon marathon lived to tell tales of individual challenges: a severe case of vertigo, knee injuries and a tendency to overheat.

Good planning meant most of the run was shaded but, even so, they each consumed between five and eight litres of water and needed a full complement of gels, energy bars and electrolyte powders to get across safely.

There were further courageous stories from another tough course revealed in the full results from last weekend’s BRADFORD CITY RUN.

Winner Michael Del Monte explained that the inclines and downhills meant finding a race rhythm and reaching a personal best was difficult.

The Canadian said: “There is nothing wrong with a challenging course. Not every race needs to be flat and fast and I’d definitely do it again.”

Rosemary Baker, Helen Love (St Bede’s) and Christine Cox were the top three in the women’s over-50s category.

Martin Landells (Pudsey Pacers), Edward Gilligan (Manchester Harriers) and Carl Heron (Queensbury AC) topped the men’s over-45s.

When questioned on the standard of running in Bradford, Del Monte said: “Bradford has a tremendous history of middle- and long-distance running.

“The yearly climate is perfect for training, there are miles and miles of trails, lots of hills and, as I learned on Sunday, a terrific support system.

“I was really impressed with how many people were cheering in the middle of the countryside!”

Del Monte also remarked that the Yorkshire landscape offers unique training opportunities.

“I run on Baildon Moor and use the uphills as hard sections – running up hard and running down easy and doing that a few times,” he said.

“Those are great workouts because I know I’m working hard, while not getting caught up in any sort of pace.”

The WITHINS SKYLINE FELL RACE on Penistone Hill, Haworth, on Sunday is a great opportunity to put such hill training into practice.

Meanwhile, the unique HARRIERS v CYCLISTS race is set for Saturday, November 20 (2pm, entries on the day).

Runners compete against cyclists over mixed terrain, starting from the Fisherman’s Inn at Dowley Gap to Shipley Glen and back.