ALMOST 6,000 runners pounded the streets of York today in the seventh Asda Foundation York 10K race.

Competitors, including some dressed as superheroes, were raising tens of thousands of pounds for a host of vital local charities, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Martin House Children’s Hospice, St Leonard’s Hospice and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration, who normally takes part in the race, was unable to compete this time because of a pulled ligament and instead he limped on to the stage and helped get the race underway with the Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Sonja Crisp.

He then gave 'high fives' to scores of runners as they ran past the starting point in Knavesmire Road.

The race was won by Steve Robinson from Peterborough in 32 minutes, 57 seconds, who said it was the fourth time he had taken part but the first time he had come first. In second place was Jordan Skelly from Gainsborough in 33.05, while the first York male runner to finish was Kristoff Boynton of York Acorn Running Club in 33.44.

The first woman to cross the finishing line, also in Knavesmire Road, was Michelle Nolan from Gateshead Harriers, in 36.45, with Emma Yates, from Knavesmire Harriers, finishing third in 37.52.

The runners praised the level of support they received from the public as they ran around York, and said the weather - cool with a little hazy sunshine breaking through the cloud after early morning rain - was ideal.

The race took runners across the Millennium Bridge and through the city centre past key landmarks such as Clifford’s Tower and York Minster, cheered on by crowds of friends, relatives and members of the public.

Hundreds of children joined in the fun by taking part in the free-to-enter Arena Group York Mini and Junior runs, which used the same start and finish as the 10K.

Amongst the runners was inspirational fundraiser John Burkhill from Sheffield, who was taking part in his 950th race to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of his daughter.