RUNNERS in the recently-revived Selby Half Marathon have notched up two new records.

Now called the Coalfields Regeneration Trust Selby Half Marathon, records in both the men's and women's events were broken.

York-based Darren Bilton, from the Leeds City Club, clocked 1hr 7mins 39secs, smashing the previous best of 1hr 10mins 30secs by almost three minutes.

The first three runners home in the men's race all beat the previous record.

In the women's race, Helen Wilcock, of Pocklington Road Runners, set a new record of 1hr 25mins 5secs, beating the previous best by more than a minute.

First local club man home was Andrew Nesom, of York Acorn Club, in 1hr 16mins 53secs; while the first local woman across the finish line was Emma Allitt, of Selby Striders, who clocked 1hr 40mins 39secs.

In the veterans' events, first local man home was John Wagstaffe in 1hr 25mins 4secs, and the first local woman was Debbie Horsfall in 1hr 57mins 31secs.

More than 400 runners finished Sunday's race.

The half marathon fell by the wayside in 1999 but was revived last year with sponsorship from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust and local chemical company Tate & Lyle.

The event also has the backing of local charity Selby and District Round Table, which receives a donation from race organisers.

Organiser Jim Harran, of Selby Striders, said: "We have filled the entry quota both last year and this, which is hugely satisfying.

"When people see these records I'm sure it will make runners from all over the north of England sit up and take notice of what is possible on the Selby course.

"To take three minutes off the men's record is astounding."

Updated: 11:03 Wednesday, October 06, 2004