As the sun shone on York thousands of people from all walks of life came together for the city’s annual Jane Tomlinson 10k with a single intention – to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.
About 6,300 runners laced up their running shoes in the soaring temperatures yesterday to raise cash for a multitude of good causes in memory of a host of loved ones from across the region.
The event, now in its third year, was widely acknowledged to the biggest and best yet – testament to those who pounded the pavements as well as those helping behind the scenes - in fitting tribute to the memory of the brave and inspirational Jane Tomlinson.
Runners, wheelchair participants and walkers came together for the 9am set-off following a warm-up session led by personal trainers from York’s gyms.
As the ten-second countdown was chanted and the starting bell tolled a roar bellowed from the crows of runners, their families and spectators alike as the third York 10k Run For All event got under way – led by television personality Harry Gration.
Within just over half-an-hour the first runner Ben Livesey was back at the Knavesmire crossing the finishing line, met by organiser Mike Tomlinson and Miss York Anastasia Smith who helped support the event.
As the thousands of runners crossed the finishing line, the crowds kept up their unrelenting support.
Among the runners was Rich Farrar, 38, who was running the 10k for Macmillan Cancer Research after a recent heartbreak in his family.
Just a fortnight ago his wife Helen’s mother was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. Tragically Helen’s dad also died of cancer when she was aged just ten.
Rich, who got a personal best time of 48 minutes 30 seconds, despite saying he had done little training for the event, said the recent tragedy really spurred on and now has his sights set on the London Marathon in 2013 as he and Helen plan to continue their fundraising for the charity.
Despite feeling under the weather Look North presenter Tanya Arnold took part in the race and gained a personal best of 53 minutes 40 seconds.
She said she had just aimed to beat her fellow Look North colleague television personality Harry Gration and was “very pleased” with her time.
It was Tanya’s first time doing the York run and she said: “I was really looking forward to the York’s 10k. I have done the majority of the Leeds Run For All events but this was a first in York and it is such a scenic route. I hadn’t done much training since the Leeds one in July but I recently did some training with Jessica’s Ennis’s coach for some interval training as a last minute preparation.
“It was such a beautiful, scenic run, especially going past the Minster. It was tough going but it was great to see so many spectators cheering everyone on and it really spurred me on in the last kilometre.”
Lord Mayor David Horton walked the route in under two hours. He said it was great to see so many people come out of their doors and tourists to line the route to offer their support to the thousands of people who took part, either running, walking or wheeling round the course.
One family had a poignant reason to come together for the York 10k. Kathleen Potts, 65, was diagnosed with cancer in June – less than six months after her sister Jean Torrington died of the disease.
Kathleen was pushed around the course in a wheelchair by her sister’s widow Bill Torrington, his daughter Rebecca Torrington and relative Margaret Hoffman.
The four took part in aid of St Leonard’s Hospice as a nod to the palliative care they give to those struck down by the disease. Kathleen said: “It was really great and the encouragement we received around the course by everyone was brilliant.”
Speaking after the race, organiser Mike Tomlinson said this year was a record for entries, saying: “We had about 6,300 people registering to take part which is about an eight per cent increase on last year which is just fantastic.
“I think that York is just such a beautiful, beautiful route and as a 10k is a distance a lot of people can aim to attain it is easy to see why it is becoming such a big event for the city. And that it what we want it to be – an occasion –not just a run, but something that the whole city can enjoy and be part of.
“As usual the spectators who came to the Knavesmire and stood on the streets lining the route really helped make the day.
“The event just gets bigger and better every year which makes it more enjoyable for the runners, the race marshalls and for ourselves.
“The more people who take part and the more people who turn out to support the race means the better the atmosphere and the more enjoyable the occasion.”
• See today's press for a 12-page York 10k souvenir with pictures and results.
So many inspired by Jane’s memory
THEY came in droves yesterday to honour Jane Tomlinson as the third 10K run in her name took place in York.
More than 6,000 people lined up at Knavesmire alongside TV presenter Harry Gration, the Lord Mayor, David Horton, children as young as three and adults as old as 84.
That it has become a York tradition in such a short space of time is down to Jane herself, an inspirational fundraiser who spent the final years of her life to raising money for charity while suffering from cancer.
Her husband Mike, who organises the event, says this year was another record field. And when the funds are gathered in, hopefully another record total will have been raised for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, which supports children’s and cancer charities.
We salute all who took part in this fantastic and worthy event, but let’s not forget the small army of dedicated volunteers who ensured everything went smoothly.
Everyone involved deserves a medal.
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