THOUSANDS of runners took to the streets in and around York today (Sunday, October 8) to take on a popular marathon.

About 7,000 people took part in the 26 mile Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon, which began at the University of York in Heslington and wound its way around the city and out to surrounding villages. The first woman across the line was Tracy Millmore, 46, from Birtley AC, near Newcastle, in two hours and 46 minutes.

The men’s race was won by Ross Houston, 37, from Edinburgh, in two hours and 24 minutes.

The day also included the Yorkshire Marathon Corporate Relay, which allowed teams of six to take on shorter distances between them.

The inaugural Yorkshire Marathon was launched in 2013 and all the places for the event were signed up within three days. It attracts amateur and professional athletes from across the UK and abroad. The following year the event was again a sell-out, which all 7,000 spaces taken within five hours.

Runners were sent on their way by former cricket umpire Dickie Bird OBE.

The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Barbara Boyce, said: "It's incredibly fun. It's bringing people together and it shows that York people are so willing to do so much for hundreds of different organisations.

"People have come into York from all over the country to do this.

"I've seen people today who are not professional athletes in any way, but they are all here to take part. There's a woman I know doing this in her 80s and it's tremendous."