THE STREETS of Leeds came alive with the return of the Asda Foundation Leeds 10k and Leeds Half Marathon.

After last year’s postponements thousands of runners took part in support of good causes and helped raise vital funds following more than a year without running events in the city. For the first time both the 10K and the half marathon took place on the same day this year.

The Leeds 10K event is the original legacy run of the late Jane Tomlinson, who took on a series of endurance challenges to raise nearly £2m for charity despite battling terminal cancer. Jane died soon after launching the 10K and since the inaugural event in 2007, it has grown into a highlight of the city’s running calendar alongside the Leeds Half Marathon which is now in its 37th year.

First to finish were those taking part in the 10K. First to cross the finish line was the winning male wheelchair athlete Callum Hall, originally from Yeadon, in a time of 23mins 03secs and the winning female wheelchair athlete was his wife Jade Hall in a time of 24 mins and 37 seconds.

Sunday's first 10K male finisher was Scott Hinchcliffe who won in 31mins 56secs. Marcin Soszka clocked 32mins 06secs to take second place with Harvey Martin third in 32mins 54secs. Sammyjoe Daley-Davies won the women’s race with a time of 38mins 00secs. Sarah Flaherty was second in 38mins 20secs and Sarah Kemshall took third place in 38mins 28secs.

The Leeds Half followed shortly after with Sean Frame winning the wheelchair race in 58mis and 35secs. First male for Sunday's half went to John Birch in 01:09:40, second went to Jack Kelly in 01:11:17 and third was Ben Butler 01:11:38. The women’s race was won by Clare Slorach in 01:28:27, second Bex Stone in 01:28:51 and Treena Johnson in third in 01:29:16

Tristan Batley-Kyle, head of events at Run For All, organiser of the event, said: “The response to the Leeds 10K and Leeds Half never ceases to amaze us. The runners and spectators again turned out in force and we are especially grateful to the many volunteers who work so hard to ensure the runners have a safe and enjoyable event.”

Entries are open now for the 2022 Leeds Half Marathon on May 8 and the Leeds 10K on July 3.