ORGANISERS have already begun preparing for next year’s York marathon as details emerged of some runners’ personal achievements in Sunday’s event.

The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon takes place next year on Sunday, October 12, and looks set to become a major date on the county’s sporting calendar.

This year’s race sold out in days and runners who want to be part of next year’s action are being advised to get in early by signing up to a pre-sale register, which will open for entries on Friday, January 3.

For details people should go to theyorkshiremarathon.com

Sunday’s race raised an estimated £1.3 million for a host of charities and it is also thought to have given a £1 million boost to the York economy.

More than 6,000 runners took part, including BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, who finished the full marathon in 5:53:45. He said: “I foolishly promised to do the marathon back in January and I can’t believe it came round so quickly.

“It was a fantastic day and a wonderful marathon – it is definitely the last one, though!”

Dawn Boddy, 39, of Bilbrough, who was running for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Leeds in memory of her late father, completed the event in 4:44:46.

It was a family affair for Susan and Paul Adams of Bishopthorpe, and their son-in-law Stuart, who run for Knavesmire Harriers.

Sue said: “It was a real family effort with it being my 200th marathon, Paul’s 262nd and Stuart’s third – and he achieved his personal best.”

Matthew Briggs, of Huntington, who was once so unfit that he could barely run for the bus, took on his first marathon after shedding 17st 10lbs, and crossed the finishing line in 4:52:32.

The results of the relay challenge, which saw teams of six from scores of companies and organisations, will be announced at a later date.

Meanwhile Osbaldwick councillor Mark Warters said he had received a couple of complaints from local people unable to drive out of their properties on Sunday, including one from someone who needed to be able to drive to work. He hoped better warnings could be in place next year, but stressed that he wished the race well.

A race spokeswoman said district and parish councils had been consulted extensively, and leaflets had gone out to residents affected, although it was possible one or two had missed out on these. She said it was impossible to run such an event without some roads being closed.