HUNDREDS gathered at the Minster yesterday to support the runners in the first Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon.

Before the race began there was a great sense of anticipation in the air as families and friends looked forward to spotting their chosen runner.

The atmosphere was electric when the runners arrived as the elite athletes passed by the Minster to huge applause. However the biggest cheers were for the hundreds of regular runners and local heroes raising money for charity.

The applause was constant and was accompanied by cheers and music helping to spur the runners on.

The spectators varied from father and sons, there to watch their cousin who had a case of champagne resting on the race, to whole families there to support their loved ones as they raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

Whether they had travelled from as far as Spain or were more local there were very few faces without a smile on them.

Linda Whiting and her husband Julian were there to support her colleague from work at the University of York, Rory Dalgliesh, who is a keen runner. Linda said she was excited not just to see Rory, but for the whole race.

Kate Waugh, from Selby, was there to support husband Craig who was raising money for Diabetes UK after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes last year.

His son, George, was alongside best friends Alistair and Vicky and their son, Bobby. Craig had raised £600 and had already run the York 10k and Great North Run this year.

Luke and Anya Knight were there with son Charlie to support their neighbour Andy Dunn, of Bishopthorpe Road.

Unfortunately they missed him, but they were still enjoying the day and Charlie was enjoyed pointing out the runners in fancy dress.

Even after the last of the runners had passed there was still a buzz around the event with many of the spectators already excited about coming back next year.