Leeds 10K: From fancy dress fun to racers... it was a real run for all

As soon as 13-year-old Steven waved the White Rose flag of Yorkshire the crowds began pounding the streets of Leeds.

Led by multiple world record holder Paula Radcliffe, nearly 7,000 people took part in the now annual 10k event which was founded by Mrs Tomlinson just three months before she died following a long battle against cancer.

Moments before, a huge Mexican wave had snaked its way down The Headrow as the runners showed their appreciation for the inspirational fundraiser.

Up to 100 charities are expected to benefit from the race, which has raised more than 2m since it started, and runners included super heroes, cartoon characters and even a pot of Yorkshire Tea. Many entrants had their own heartbreaking reasons for taking part, others simply wanted to help raise money for those in need.

Ms Radcliffe, who is six months pregnant, ran the New York 10k last month, finishing with a time of 44 minutes 36 seconds – just a quarter of an hour longer than her world record road 10k time of 30 mins 21 secs, set in 2003.

The 36-year-old is the world record holder for the marathon, 20k and 10k road runs and crossed the line accompanied by three-year-old daughter, Isla. She said the day was a fitting tribute to Mrs Tomlinson.

"It was a fantastic occasion and I had a lot of fun," she said. "It's a tough course and we have to say thank you to all of the people who turned out today.

"There were people cheering all the way round, the atmosphere was great.

"Jane Tomlinson was such an inspirational person, she never let anything get her down, and this race is really in her image, it is about something so serious but it deals with it in such a positive way, with a lot of joy for a lot of people."

Many of the runners were in fancy dress, or wearing clothes that paid tribute to the cause they were supporting.

John Sutcliffe, 36, from Sheffield, was part of a team of 12 from tea and coffee company Taylors of Harrogate.

Dressed as a pot of Yorkshire Tea, he was carrying a bucket to raise money for the Children's Heart Surgery fund.

He said: "It was brilliant – I got a tremendous response on the way round and people were really generous. It was quite hard going and it was tough between six and eight kilometres but after that it was no problem."

Race winner David Cowlishaw, 42, who is now living in Madrid but is from Horsforth, said it was the second time he had won the race.

"It was a perfect day for running," he said. "I ran the inaugural race a few years ago and met Jane Tomlinson, it was a great moment.

"Now I'm delighted to have won this one, you never expect it. I feel great, you feel tired on the way round, but not when you win."

All ages and abilities were represented among the crowds which included teenagers and pensioners, wheelchair racers and elite athletes.

The next chief executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan, said he enjoyed the run with his wife Louise and the event "brought the city together".

He said: "It has been a great day – for a city like Leeds, it is really important to have events like this."

The racers gathered early at Millennium Square for a warm-up before heading to the Headrow, where the wheelchair athletes set off first, followed by the elite runners and celebrities at the start of the main race.

Behind them were wave after wave of runners, forming two columns with thousands of spectators lining the streets to cheer them on.

They included Emily Macaulay and Sue Jewell who competed the final leg of an incredible 330-mile challenge, running from Exeter to Leeds, and Andrew Bayston, who has cerebral palsy and completed the course on crutches.

Josh Parry, 18, from Rothwell, ran the race dressed in a bright orange "morphsuit" which covers the whole body and head in a Lycra-like material.

He said: "I just thought it would be fun to run like this – it was pretty tough but it has raised money for Cancer Research and that's the most important thing."

All Run For All events are not-for-profit charity events open to people of all abilities – whether they wish to run, walk, wheel or jog. The success of the Leeds 10K has led to Jane Tomlinson's York 10K, now in its second year, the Hull 10K and Pennine Lancashire 10K.

FASTEST IN THE FIELD

Men's top five

1 David Cowlishaw, – 33, minutes, four seconds.

2 Paul Lockwood – 33 minutes, 20 seconds.

3 Ryan Holroyd – 33 minutes 51 seconds.

4 Martin Sanders – 34 minutes 51 seconds.

5 Rob De'Giovanni – 35 minutes, 36 seconds.

Women's top five:

1 Lois Rosindale – 37 minutes 47 seconds.

2 Claire Elener – 41 minutes, two seconds.

3 Melanie Pollard – 41 minutes, 19 seconds.

4 Catherine Lee – 41 minutes, 52 seconds.

5 Emma Yates – 41 minutes, 56 seconds.

Wheelchair top three:

1 James Gaskin – 39 minutes, 11 seconds.

2 Bret Crossley – 49 minutes, 17

3 Cheryl Alexander – One hour, three minutes and 51 seconds.