ALMOST 6,000 runners who pounded the streets of York in the seventh Asda Foundation York 10K race have tonight been given a fresh chance to run in the city.

Organisers of the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon unveiled plans for a new 10-mile run to be held alongside the sell-out marathon on Sunday October 11.

Starting and finishing at the University of York, the Plusnet Yorkshire 10 Mile will get underway immediately after the marathon and take in a section of the 26.2 mile course.

"The 10 mile entrants will get to soak up the unique atmosphere and enjoy the support of the large and enthusiastic crowds that have become such a feature of the marathon since its launch in 2013," said a spokesman.

Competitors in today's 10K, some dressed as superheroes, have raised 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 yesterday's 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. They also praised the 'superb' level of support they received from the public.

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, residents and tourists.

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.

Chris Ferguson, from Saltburn, who is partially sighted, took part in the race with her guide dog Quinta, thought to be the race's first canine competitor. She was raising funds for York Blind and Partially Sighted Society, as was her sister Diane Roworth, who is chief officer of the society.

A total of four blind or partially sighted runners were helped round the course by runners from York accountancy firm Garbutt + Elliott, who were also fundraising for York MIND.