A total of 3,600 runners finished the Leeds Half Marathon, tackling the tough ascent from the city centre to the ring road at Meanwood before descending to Horsforth for the flat final three miles back to the town hall via Kirkstall Abbey.

Andy May (Valley Striders) was a brilliant third, although his 1hr 14min finish left him over six minutes adrift of Eritrean winner Tsegezeab Woldemickael and Longwood’s Andrew Pearson.

Other top locals were Paul Gaile of Pudsey Pacers, who was second over-40 behind Holmfirth’s Dave Watson (fourth overall), while Owen Bielby (Wharfedale) was sixth, Stephen Bailey (Bingley Harriers) eighth and Julian Mawson (Otley AC) ninth.

In the ladies' race, Andrea Dennison’s 1hr 30min earned her the first over-45 position, four minutes behind race winner Gemma Smith (Kirkstall). Lindsay Atkinson was fourth overall for Leeds Bradford Triathlon.

Skyrac’s Debbie Bland was first over-55 at the Ripon Ten-Miler in 1hr 24min 30sec, while Stuart Thompson (Bingley) was first home in the over-60s and Janine Gamble (Idle AC) took fifth in the F45s.