THOUSANDS of people crossed the finish line at the fifth Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All York 10k.

An estimated 6,000 runners along with supporters gathered on Knavesmire yesterday before a mass warm-up led by City of York Council’s Energise team, ahead of the 9.30am start.

The race was begun by a starting party which included BBC Sport presenter Eleanor Oldroyd and Look North TV anchorman Harry Gration, from York, who is also training for the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon in October.

Harry said: “I love this event. It’s great for York and it’s great for the legacy of Jane Tomlinson. I am running with a team called the White Rose Runners, all ladies who have never done anything like this before and are building up to the Yorkshire Marathon. Some of them have had breast cancer, and they all have a story. They are my inspiration.”

Eleanor Oldroyd, running her first 10k, said she was inspired by Jane Tomlinson’s remarkable spirit and determination. “It’s amazing to see all these people who have worked so hard. After all those mornings getting up early for a run it makes it worthwhile.”

Mike Tomlinson, whose late wife Jane inspired the Run For All events, said: “People have overcome amazing difficulties to be here, and it’s always a highlight to see them cross the finish line.

Today is about charities raising as much money as possible, and people getting involved, getting fit, and getting healthy.”

Lord Mayor Coun Julie Gunnell, also in the starting party, said it was great for York to have a charity event anyone could take part in.

First over the finish line was Ethopian runner Wondiye Fikre Indelbu, in just 31 minutes 14 seconds.

Close behind was women’s winner Pauline Munro, who finished in 35 minutes and 25 seconds and came seventh overall.

Pauline said: “The crowds and support have been fantastic, and that’s the pleasure of a city-centre race. It makes you really knuckle down.”

Bret Crossley, from Rothwell near Leeds, won the wheelchair race for the fourth time in just under 30 minutes.

Many participants were raising money in memory of loved ones for charities close to their hearts.

A team of 31 runners was taking part for the Teenage Bone Cancer Trust, in memory of Guy Francis, from York, who died of cancer in 2002, aged 23; while a team of 34 raced for York-based overseas charity York International Service.

Tony Neal, who is nominated for a York Press Community Pride award, completed the race pushing his wife Jenny, who has dementia, in her wheelchair.

As he crossed the finish line Tony said: “I feel very good. She’s pulled me round very well! This is a very special event, and we always held Jane Tomlinson in very high regard. If she can do this, so can we.”

Tony’s daughter Caroline also took part, completing the race in 1 hour 3 minutes.

Employees from companies around York battled it out to raise money for their chosen causes in the Morrison Utility Services York 10K Corporate Challenge.

Sixteen colleagues from Cellhire in Rawcliffe ran in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice; and a 25-strong team from Enterprise Rent-A-Car ran for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

A team from Dean’s Garden Centre raised around £1700 for York Against Cancer, with team runner Nicky Georgiou saying: “It’s been absolutely fantastic.

We stuck together and came through the finish line together.”

Other entrants included: Plusnet, Altodigital, Garbutt & Elliott, The Press, BBC Radio York, Shepherd Group Built Environment, Hassra, CPP Group, Unibus Travel and Transport, Bensons for Beds and Morrison’s themselves.

Afterwards around 500 children took part in the Arena Group York 10k Mini and Junior Run including Kai Armitage, aged three, from Clifton, who has cerebral palsy and who completed the course with dad David.

The family used the race as a target to aim to strengthen Kai’s walking ahead of treatment in Leeds to help him walk independently.

“We did it because Kai wants to walk, and this is something to aim for,” said David. “He’s been brilliant when we’ve been practising by walking up and down the street.”

David said Kai was overwhelmed by the cheers as they crossed the finish line.

  • See The Press today for a special eight-page souvenir supplement on the York 10K