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Leeds 10k: Stars shine to raise cash for charities
CELEBRITY runners headed the starters as they put in some hard yards for charity.
John Altman, best known as "Nasty" Nick Cotton in BBC's EastEnders, was joined on Father's Day by his daughter Rosanna, 22, for the run in the city where he started his stage career in 1976. He completed the race outside Leeds Town Hall in only 60 minutes.
He said: "I enjoyed it. It's nice to be back in Leeds. The clock chimed 10am as I went through the finishing line which wasn't bad.
"Jane Tomlinson is a great example to mankind and did extraordinary things."
BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration joked that he hit the wall after 100 yards but had been spurred on by support from the sidelines.
"I'm no athlete although I've done runs in the past," he said.
"I kept going thanks to the great atmosphere – people were really cheering."
Another runner, Leeds United legend Eddie Gray, said he was delighted to be a part of the event.
"It's great to see so many people running and so many people watching – it's great for the city of Leeds," he said.
Also taking part was Dean Andrews, of Barnsley, from the BBC's Ashes to Ashes police drama.
The actor, like John Altman, was supporting George's Appeal to raise cash for research into the childhood cancer neuroblastoma which has been launched by the children's medical research charity Sparks.
Former Leeds Rhino and Great Britain rugby league forward Barrie McDermott also took to the streets for the run along with several members of Sheffield band Little Man Tate.
Alongside a team from the BBC was a strong line-up from Yorkshire TV's Calendar programme including presenters Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood.
Olympian triumphs on tough course
OLYMPIC marathon runner Dan Robinson was first past the finish line in the men's race,describing the course as "tough".
He has been Britain's best male athlete over the 26-mile distance in recent years and was the country's only representative in the marathon in last year's Beijing Olympics when he finished in 24th.
He said it was the first time he had competed in the Leeds event, but because the course had a number of uphill and downhill sections it had not been about achieving personal best times.
Because he was a marathon specialist, he had used it as part of his schedule to improve his speed rather than as an endurance test, winning the Carnegie Race of Champions.
"The crowd support was fantastic and it was great to be a part of it," he said.
First home in the women's race was international triathlete Victoria Graves, from York.
Among the most tired finishers was probably Jack Jones who took part in the Leeds 10K hot on the heels of completing the incredible feat of
seven marathons in seven days on seven continents in March.
All the winning athletes were congratulated personally by
Jane Tomlinson's husband Mike after crossing the finishing
line.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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