IN the Vale of York Half-Marathon, Airecentre Pacers athlete Richard Walker gained a personal best with a fine time of one hour, 24 minutes and 54 seconds.

He was followed by Nick Leathley (1.42.49) and Margaret Britton, who came third in the F60 category with a time of 1.55.21.

Jen Sebright-Pickard (2.01.41), Jenny Mynett (2.13.29), Sally Russ (2.29.16) and Claire Ripley (2.34.40) were the other finishers for the club.

In the Great North Run, Cathy Brown led the Pacers’ contingent in 2.17.00 and she was joined with a time of under two-and-a-half hours by Carly Dykes (2.26.16) and Cheryl Duerden (2.27.31).

Linda Lofthouse completed the course in 2.38.45, with Angela Hopps (2.39.53) and Louise Brace (2.40.55) close behind. Cora Dove (2.48.20) and Liz Cook (2.48.21) rounded things off for the Pacers.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the popular Boxing Day Chevin Chase race, which often provides a rare opportunity for club runners to measure themselves against Olympic champions.

In 2014, Alastair Brownlee pipped brother Johnny at the finish line, but in 2016 it was Johnny who took first place after holding off a determined challenge from Ilkley Harriers’ Thomas Adams.

Registration for this year’s race will open on October 7, with special dispensation being granted for a larger than usual field for the ruby anniversary.

It is hoped that Yorkshire’s favourite running brothers will join the 2017 champion Chris Smithard on the starting line.