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Jane's Leeds 10k triumph 2007
JANE Tomlinson's Run for All lived up to its name in superb style with the inaugural Leeds 10k. Competitors of all abilities took to the streets of Leeds city centre where thousands gathered to cheer them on.
GB runner Tracey Morris was among the elite athletes who set the pace at the front of the field.
But Sunday morning's event belonged to the thousands of charity runners, many in fancy dress, who were hoping to raise cash and awareness for hundreds of good causes.
Jane, her husband Mike and son Steven were at the starting line where the Rothwell fundraiser began the event and then waved the competitors' through up the Headrow.
It was an emotional day for the mother-of-three, who has terminal cancer, and there were tears at the finish line when she greeted her mother, Anne Goward, who took part in the race with veteran competitor Donald Nicholson, 91.
Jane said: "It has been amazing. We have been planning it for so long.
"When I first spoke to Leeds City Council I was not sure they would get behind the idea, but they have been amazing and have helped make it the success it is today.
"So have all the people who have come here to run, the supporters and volunteers. They have all made it amazing.
"There has been a lot of co-operation between all the agencies involved and hopefully it will be a day to remember.
"It is amazing to think that all these people are here today because of me, that's very strange."
Celebrities taking part included Nell McAndrew, cast members of Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and former footballer Eddie Gray.
A 24-strong team of soldiers in full combat gear from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment, also braved the six-and-a-quarter mile course.
Money raised from the event will be used for cancer research and to boost children's charities.
Claire Hughes, sports digital reporter for the Yorkshire Post, was one of the YP Whippets team who took part.
"There was good banter and lots of chat," she said. "The crowds in the town were really supportive, and the finish was great.
"You never know what you're going to get from a new event but it was well organised."
The winners of the Leeds 10k were through the finish line as the bulk of the charity runners were hitting the half-way point.
The men's field was won by David Cowlishaw, with a time of 33:28, with
Sean Cotter in second place, at 34:22, and Mike Jefferies third, with 34:36.
Marathon runner Tracey Morris came in first for the women at 34:43, with Pauline Lucy Munro in the second spot with a time of 38:09, and Sarah Graham coming in third, after 39:20.
Next page: More stories from the day
Section index: Background on the race
Photos by Jim Moran, Ian Day and Nigel Roddis
All these photos can by bought online from Yorkshire Post photo sales. You can also email photosales@ypn.co.uk, or telephone 0113 238 8360.
If we have published your photo, email us (details below) so we can put your name with your photo.
We also want your stories and photographs for our competitors' photogallery.
Here's how to send:
By email to yponline@ypn.co.uk.
Through our online commenting system. Register and submit a message of support for a friend or loved one taking part.
Use your mobile phone to send a message to our special race textline. Text "yprun4all" (space) then your message and details and text to 81800.
Send an MMS photo on the day, text "yppix" (space) then a message and your details, attach your photo by mms and send to 07786 200 055.
YOUR EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGES:
Carol Sidebottom and Kathryn Waugh, Townville, Castleford: "The Jane Tomlinson Leeds 10k Run for All was a fantastic celebration for everyone visiting the city of Leeds today.
"We went along to support my son-in-law Steven Waugh who was one of the 8000 plus entrants. What was special about yesterday was that there were so many wonderful people and each with their own story to tell. It was a day for sharing, a day when it felt good to be alive to witness such generosity of spirit and the inspiration for this event was Yorkshire's very own Jane Tomlinson.
"The race organisers did a superb job, the stewards were helpful and the people of Leeds were both friendly and hospitable.
"A big thank you to everyone at Yorkshire Post Newspapers for helping to promote and sponsor this event.
Scott Malloch: "I just wanted to pay tribute to my wife, Julia Malloch, from Methley who took part in the run and raised over 600 for McMillan Cancer Care. She has trained all year for the event, which was her first run since trying to catch a school bus in 1981, and she completed the course in just over 1 hour. We are all incredibly proud of her athletic feat and her fundraising achievement. Well done, and we love you! - Scott, Kirsty, James, Mum, Dad and Ann"
Dave Brook, Leeds: "I am the mad runner in the Green dragon outfit. I was running as 'Bruce the Dragon', the official mascot of Kushinkai Karate Academy....I was running to raise money for Guide dogs for the blind.,,,All being well i will have raised 350 today to ad to the 450 raised earlier this year in a sponsored punchathon. In my day job I am the youth and schools liason officer based at Stainbeck Police station, Leeds.
"As well as running to raise money for guide dogs for the blind, I wish to raise the profile of a combined educational programme which I am launching in September called Karate for Inner City Kids (KICK), a Gang resistance education and training programme.
"I really enjoyed todays event and believe the spirit of all runners and supports made me proud to be associated with the run and thank Jane for having the courage to organise this."
John and Anne Harris: "My wife and I very much enjoyed being spectators of the 10k."
Lynda M. Bowd, Alberta, Canada: "I am coming from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to be a volunteer for the event June 24th. I also had the greatest experience, privilege to be in San Francisco June 29, 2006 for the start of the Jane's Ride Across America. Many Calgarians are following this event."
BILLED as the Run for All, it certainly lived up to its name.
From super-fit athletes to struggling first-timers and celebrities without their make-up, they came from all points on the compass to raise money for good causes.
Inspired by Jane Tomlinson's courage in the face of incurable cancer, many joggers wore T-shirts bearing photographs of loved ones they had lost to the disease, while others simply walked the route and chatted in the sunshine.
Urging them on from the start line, with the Chariots of Fire theme blaring from the speakers, Mrs Tomlinson and her son Steven, 10, watched as it took a full 15 minutes for 8,000 people to pass by.
Mrs Tomlinson, 43, first diagnosed seven years ago, was too ill to take part and had to sit down for much of the morning but her enthusiasm was not dimmed by her tiredness.
Famous faces who took part included actors from Emmerdale and Hollyoaks and Leeds-born model Nell McAndrew, who said: "It's been a difficult run today because I only had three hours sleep last night because I was up with my baby but it's been a really great atmosphere.
"It's great being able to run for Jane. People from all over the world have shown their support to her but it's great to do something in Leeds."
People were inspired to run for all kinds of reasons and many had stories to tell.
Martyn Trueman, 44, wore a T-shirt with a photo of his parents Gloria and Harry, both of whom died from cancer at the age of 76. He said: "I'm running in memory of them. I don't do a lot of running ; I hope it makes them proud."
Carl Fox and Mark Pitts, both 31, bore T-shirts of their friend Bradley Hodgson, 34, who is recovering after being hit by a car. Carl, from Rothwell in Leeds said: "When I was struggling on the last few miles I imagined what Jane must have felt doing the bike rides ; it helps you through it."
As the final runners limped over the finishing line, Mrs Tomlinson said: "I would like thank everyone who ran, the countless volunteers and all those who have contributed to this event's enormous success and raised money for charity.
Organisers thanked the sponsors Leeds Council, Clarion, Asics, Logistik, the Yorkshire Post, Leeds Metropolitan University, Real Radio and Lucozade.
THE oldest person taking part was Donald Nicholson, 91, who walked the 10 kilometres with his friend and neighbour Anne Goward - Jane Tomlinson's mother.
Mr Nicholson, a retired science lecturer at Leeds University, said he had thoroughly enjoyed the day and the weather had been perfect.
He raised money for the Bay Tree centre in Moor Allerton, Leeds, which helps people with dementia."My wife had dementia, so it is something very much close to my heart, " said Mr Nicholson, who lives in Roundhay, Leeds
CAPTAIN Chris Armitage, shouldering an Army backpack containing 35lbs of kit, ran the 10k in memory of his mother, Anthea, who died two years ago from breast cancer aged 56.
With 25 of his men from 3rd Battalion, The Yorkshire Regiment (Duke of Wellington's), they jogged round in an hour and seven minutes, crossing the line all together.
Capt Armitage, 29, from Halifax, said: "The majority of the lads here have volunteered to do this run because they have lost someone to cancer."
He added: "We are very proud and privileged to have run in an event in aide of Jane's Appeal. We have raised 1,250."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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