A COLD bright January morning heralded the start of the 34th Brass Monkey Half Marathon, which took place in York today.

Runners from across the UK travelled to York for the race, organised by volunteers from the York Knavesmire Harriers running club.

Some 1500 runners set off from Knavesmire this morning.

This year the Brass Monkey was held in honour of former club president Malcolm Fawcett, who died in 2015. Special trophies were given out in his name to the first local runners home - John Sanderson and Charlotte Mason - while his grandchildren Lizzi and Jimmy fired the starting gun.

Race director Alistair McQueen said that despite the plummeting temperatures, conditions were good for the 13.1 mile race.

He added: "We are delighted with how it's gone. We've had great weather - blue skies despite the cold - and everyone seems to have had a good time.

"The Brass Monkey is York Knavesmire Harriers' way of giving back to the sport we love. We had 150 club members volunteering on the day, and it was great to see all the runners competing, and smiling, round the local roads of York. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 12 month's time."

The men's race was won by Barnsley runner Dan Kestrel who crossed the line in 1:08:53, while Sharon Barlow of the Darlington Harriers took the women's first place in 1:18:35.