The Edinburgh Marathon Festival drew 14,000 runners to the Scottish capital last weekend.

The marathon route started near Holyrood before taking runners to Leith for a long stretch along the coast.

Many competitors found the trail section past Gosford House at the 18-mile mark taxing, together with a strong headwind back to the finish at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Tipton’s Paul Nicholls and Kingston’s Sarah Harris won the male and female races in 2hr 19min and 2hr 42min respectively.

Baildon Runners had an excellent day, with club records falling to Andrew Travis (M40; 3hr 18min) and Bob Shimmin (M55; 3hr 22min).

Nicola Empson set a ladies’ club record of 3hr 32min, with Diana Campbell just 16 seconds behind her. Richard Stone (Saltaire Striders) managed 3hr 27min.

The 13-mile alternative saw victories for Andrew Douglas (Inverclyde) and Becky Penty (Highgate) in 66min 49sec and 75min 31sec respectively.

Among the locals, Rick Nottidge (Baildon) finished in 1hr 32min, despite having a broken arm.

Saturday’s Brathay Windermere Marathon, following a circular route around the lake, allowed Gary Scott (Eccleshill Road Runners) to reap the rewards of recent coaching by Mick Brearley (Saltaire Striders).

He knocked 40 minutes off his personal best, finishing 16th in 2hr 59min 56sec in only his second marathon. Tim Midgley (Bingley Harriers) was third in 2hr 42min 55sec.

Wharfedale Harriers managed a virtual whitewash of the first bBOFRA Championship fell race at Sedbergh Gala.

Sam Watson, Mark McGoldrick and Ted Mason made up the first three over 2.6 miles that incorporated 1,200ft of climbing.

Cathy Bradley was third in the ladies’ race, while Wharfedale’s juniors took wins in the under-17 and under-14 age categories, in the form of James Hall, Annabel Mason and Ellie Lambert. James Lund (Keighley) was first back in the under-12 race.

Ben Crowther (Halifax) led home 129 finishers in the Sowerby Scorcher in 39min 33sec, nine seconds clear of Wharfedale’s Christian Holmes after 10km of scenic moorland lanes and bridleways.

Stainland Lions’ Margaret Beever and Angela Jordan managed a one-two in the ladies' race, ahead of Marisol Carrera (Bingley).