Donnelly peaks with impressive victory

Trailing Leeds City's Chris Birchall at the top of Pen-y-Ghent, Donnelly asserted his authority on the race on the stretch to Ribblehead and, although Salford's John Brown closed on the ascent of Whernside, Donnelly was far stronger on the run up Ingleborough and finished in 3:02:34, four minutes clear. Pete Vale (Mercia) was third with Birchall fourth.

After a steady start, Nick Leigh (Pudsey and Bramley) came through strongly for fifth. With Richard Pattinson, 7th, and veteran Gary Devine, 15th, Pudsey and Bramley won the team race.

Bingley's Victoria Wilkinson, a doubtful starter due to injury, made a brave attempt to win the women's race. Despite a bad fall, she was still leading just short of the summit of Ingleborough but was overtaken by last year's winner Anna Lupton (Radcliffe) who won in3:30:45

Andrew Pearson (Longwood) was an impressive winner of yesterday's SIG Insulations Sheffield Half Marathon.

Pearson was prominent from the start at Don Valley Stadium along with Dave Michenson (Newham and Essex) and last year's winner Jason Ward (Altrincham). Shortly after the opening mile Pearson began to go clear. Michenson, who was a substitute in the entry list for the Hallamshire veteran Carl Thackery, stayed within striking distance but could never get back on terms and finished 25 seconds adrift of Pearson's very respectable 67:04.

Natalie Farrow (Lincoln Wellington) improved from fourth last year to first to take the women's award this time. Farrow's time of 83:24 was well outside her best but she said she had not really been training for the longer distances. Considering her lack of distance training, 52nd overall was a satisfying display.