ALMOST 10,000 runners pounded the streets of York in autumn sunshine on SUnday to compete in the fourth Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon and the second Yorkshire 10 Mile race.

New Zealander Paul Martelletti won the marathon, completing the course through the city and surrounding countryside in two hours, 19 minutes and 36 seconds.

Paul, who lives in London, said the sunny but cool weather - coupled with the odd shower - had been excellent for running.

He was followed by Tom Charles who clocked 2:27:28 to take second place, with Scott Harrington from Otley, coming in third place with two hours, 28 minutes, 5 seconds. He said: “It’s a dream come true. I can’t describe the feeling.”

The first woman home was Sarah Lowery in 2:45:53, Joasia Zakrzewski recorded 2:49:05 to take second spot and Michelle Nolan was third in 2:54:24.

The winning wheelchair athlete was Callum Hall in a time of 2:01:35. Callum’s fiance, Paralympian Jade Jones, was the fastest women’s wheelchair athlete in 2:03:51.

The 10 Mile race was won by Joe Sagar in 54:01, with Joseph Monk second in 54:17 and Jordan Howe taking third place in 54:35. First woman home was Victoria Whitehead who clocked 1:02:44. Sarah Douglas finished second in 1:03:08 and Michelle Dorrington was third in 1:03:45. Eighty-year-old Jean Snelling from York Knavesmire Harriers, clocked an impressive 1:06:07.

One of the day’s biggest cheers came for 75-year-old Ray Matthews, of Maltby, near Rotherham, who recently completed 75 marathons in 75 days, and started yesterday’s big race alongside triple gold medal Paralympian Hannah Cockroft.

Scores of teams also entered the Yorkshire Marathon Corporate Relay.

-Next year’s marathon takes place on Sunday, October 8.