A WIDE variety of events held across the district over the weekend included fundraising run, a fascinating glimpse into centuries old canal engineering and a Steampunk themed market.

The annual BigK 10K was held in Keighley today with more than 1,050 runners taking part in the race, organised to raise funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands hospice in Oxenhope.

Despite freezing temperatures, and snow starting to fall shortly before the race began, the eager runners soldiered on, setting off from Victoria Park and passing through different areas of Keighley before returning to the park for the home stretch.

This year proved to be a huge success for the hospice, with the racers raising more than £50,000, more than last year's total.

More than 1,270 people had signed up for the race, which started at 9am, and despite below zero temperatures most still showed up.

Holy Family Catholic School in Keighley won the prize for most runners, with more than 70 pupils and staff from the school taking part. The school beat Acorn Stairlifts, which has won the prize for the past five years.

The first finisher was Sam Clegg, who runs for Rotherham Harriers but is from Oldfield near Keighley.

He finished in 34 minutes and 25 seconds. After the race he said: "It was not a bad time for this course, it has been the fastest I've done here. I came third last year so this felt good."

The first woman to finish the race was Kirsty Allen, of Baildon Runners, finishing in 41 minutes and seven seconds. The mum-of-three said: "It has been really enjoyable and it is nice to run with a bit of competition.

"There is a great atmosphere. It is a lovely way to spend mother's day."

Also impressing during the race was Keighley boxer and Olympic hopeful Muhammad Ali, who finished fifth. He said: "I do a lot of running for my training. I normally run in the morning, which can get a bit boring. When you are competing with other people you push yourself a bit more."

Organiser Andrew Wood said: "The numbers of racers this year was the second highest we've ever had.

"A lot of people have raised a really good amount of money. This is one of the first runs of the season for a lot of runners and a lot of different groups like to support us."

Mr Wood said he was "delighted" with the £50,000 raised this year.

This year's event had three main sponsors – Keighley's Airedale Shopping Centre, Keighley Ford and Kia and Convenience Hire, with chip timing provided by Race Best.

In Bingley, people were invited to take a rare look at the town's Three Rise Locks, which have been drained of water for the past few weeks.

Last month the Canal and River Trust began a major renovation project on the locks that involved replacing 25-year-old lock gates and repairing the 200-year-old canal wall.

The works ended today and throughout the ambitious project members of the public were invited to see the work being done and view the drained lock from a temporary viewing platform.

Over the weekend visitors were invited to see the lock before it is re-filled with water, speak to members of the trust about its history and view the imposing "spider crane" that was used to lift the new lock gates into place.

Russell Clark, project leader for the trust, said: "We are doing more and more open weekends on the canal, but this one is different as we have the viewing platform.

"Over 2,000 people have come to view the locks since we started the work. We want to put the Three Rise Locks on the map like the Five Rise Locks."

He said the lack of road links to the locks meant any materials, such as scaffolding, had to either be carried to the site by foot or floated down the canal in a barge.

Thousands of Steampunks descended on Bradford Industrial Museum over the weekend for a Steampunk market. The Leeds Steampunk Market was moved to the museum after the planned venue, Armley Mills in Leeds, was unable to hold it due to the Boxing Day floods.

Organisers had predicted up to 1,500 people might attend, but in the end 1,070 came on Saturday followed by 1,200 today. Organiser Jo Burgoyne-Neal said: "It has been a great success. I've spoken to traders and they are all keen to come back here. It's been a really good weekend."

Also held on Saturday was the Fairtrain event on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The attraction has partnered with Haworth Fair Trade, and offered anyone travelling on the 11am train from Oxenhope and the 11.45 from Keighley was offered a free Fair Trade breakfast. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Joanne Dodds, opened the event and attached a large Fairtrade logo to the front of the train.