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Last year Mr Tomlinson had his wife by his side but this year it was his son Stephen who bravely set the runners on their way.

Mr Tomlinson said: "Jane watched all the competitors finish last year and we know that her absence is felt by all those who saw her."

Although at times close to tears, he said he felt high about the "stunning legacy" she had left.

The race might have started with a minute's silence to remember Mrs Tomlinson, who died last year after a seven-year battle with breast cancer. Instead there a one-minute round of applause.

After the elite runners had raced off, the keen amateurs followed. Then the walkers, those in wheelchairs and people on crutches like Andrew Bayston, 24, of Tadcaster, who has cerebral palsy. He said: "Last year I took two hours and 55 minutes. I've raised £100 for Jane's Appeal but the money is still coming in. I am hoping to get a glimpse of Nell McAndrew."

As the race began, Mr Tomlinson, flanked by his son and daughters Suzanne and Rebecca, said: "I can see a sea of people down the Headrow and it's just an amazing sight. It's remarkable. We are just so pleased so many people are here."

Alongside stilt-walkers, super heroes, soldiers and surgeons, there were corporate teams from across Yorkshire, including a Yorkshire Post team.

Backing for the event came from Morrisons supermarket and its president Sir Ken Morrison who told the Yorkshire Post: "It's an amazing effort to do so much good for charity and so much for the city.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for Leeds to publicise itself and as a company we are very pleased to be involved. I knew Jane and Mike from a year or two ago and my late wife suffered from cancer. This event is worthy of all our support."

One runner described the atmosphere as "absolutely electric" as he crossed the line and others said the crowd's cheers had spurred them on.

Those who stopped to speak to journalists described Mrs Tomlinson as an inspiring person.

Mark Evans and Jo Stuart, a couple who ran the race three-legged, described Mrs Tomlinson as a "hell of a role model".

One 20-strong group of runners, most of them from Leeds, ran the race in T-shirts featuring a photo of Maureen Llewellyn, a teacher who died of cancer in April.

Her son Robin – who turned 40 yesterday – insisted that friends do the 10k for his birthday, rather than a party.

And while Jason Westmoreland may have donned a clown outfit for the race – but he wasn't clowning around.

The athlete and children's entertainer lays claim to be the fastest clown in the world – he recently set a London marathon time of three hours and 24 minutes while dressed in his usual clown costume.

Last year he completed the Jane Tomlinson 10k in 55 minutes, not a bad time considering he was juggling as he jogged. His usual time is about 35 minutes.

Yesterday he was dressed to impress as a clown but was pushing Edward Thomas, nine, in a wheelchair. Edward has cerebral palsy and is a pupil at Oulton Primary School in Leeds where Mr Westmoreland works as site manager.

The father-of-five said afterwards: "Jane used to run with with us at Rothwell Harriers and we trained for the Jane Tomlinson canal run, which was the last race she ran. It's a shame Jane wasn't here to see today."

The day was a real family occasion for the Tomlinsons. Mr Tomlinson's mother Alice Tomlinson, 74, completed the course in one hour and 45 minutes, 12 minutes quicker than last year.

She said: "I couldn't have done it without my daughter Janet (Miller). She's come up from Devon with her husband. She was my pace-setter.

"Jane would have been thrilled to bits with today. She would have told me to keep going."

Jane Tomlinson's mother Anne Goward, 74, said: "I am sure Jane would say that it is better than last year. The comradeship was lovely."

The organisers were last night totting up the money but it is hoped the event will raise £750,000 in total, around £170,000 of it for Jane's Appeal.

Visit our website for a full photo gallery from yesterday's event, your messages and stories as well as video highlights. Log on to www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/leeds10k


Darts champ shows running isn't a drag
FOUR years ago he was puffing on 50 cigarettes a day, but yesterday Steve Beaton was pulling on a Run For All T-shirt.

The former world darts champion, 44, who ran to raise money for Jane's Appeal and the Warwickshire Air Ambulance, was also showing a different side to the traditional image of darts players.

He said modern players had to be fitter to cope with the length of major tournaments and to play in the heat of television cameras.

He added: "The image of darts is changing and we are classed as sportsmen now, not as beer-swilling, chain-smokers.

"I've been running casually since I stopped smoking four years ago. At first it was a case of doing anything to get a bit fitter.

"Entering the Run For All gave me something to aim for this year and I've enjoyed training for it.

"A few of the other players have said I'm mad, but they've been pretty supportive too."