Running Log

Stephen Broadbent of Bingley finished fourth out of 1,143 runners with a time of 73min 23sec in the Great North West Half-Marathon in Blackpool, with Baildon’s Dean Williams an equally impressive eighth in 78:03.

Great Britain international marathon runner Martin Williams (Tipton) won Sunday’s event in 70:03 round a famously fast course.

* The popular Snake Lane ten-miler around the lanes of Pocklington drew 670 runners but a bare handful from Bradford.

The ‘race full’ signs from a month ahead show how the remaining fast, flat road races are increasingly over-subscribed.

Matt Nowell (Bradford-Airedale) was first local runner home in 20th with a time of 57:42, Pudsey resident James Wardman finishing just ahead in 17th (56:52).

A top north-eastern trio dominated the race, with young international Ricky Stevenson (New Marske) the decisive winner in a classy 48:03.

Otley’s Julian Mawson is returning to form after heart surgery, clocking 58:04, while Eccleshill’s Sophie Withnall ran well as first Bradford lady in 88:55.

* Almost 500 runners took on the Huddersfield 10K. Holmfirth’s Matthew Pierson made light of the tough inclines to win clearly in 34:03.

Keighley & Craven’s Amy Green was first lady in 39:54, using the race as preparation for her attack on the London marathon.

Baildon’s Diane Campbell continued her excellent form with a fine 44:34, while a healthy turnout by runners from Queensbury was topped by the over-60s win for Graham Jowett.

* Donna Edmondson-Booker maintained her recent winning ways with an outstanding performance at the tough Liversedge Half-Marathon, the first of the early trials for those embarking on spring marathons.

Her 88:40 effort was the fastest time since Tracey Morris’s 2009 course record of 79:51.

Queensbury’s Martin Firth just bettered his time from last year to win the over-50s category in eighth spot overall. He just failed to hold on to Antony Bradford, who was one place ahead as top over-45s runner.

Bradford clubmates Kevin Ogden (fourth, 78:39) and Gerard Skippins (21st, 86:59) made it a good day for the ten runners from Spenborough AC.