A CHARITY runner beat a professional cyclist to first place as 1,846 people completed the Barnsley 10k this week during a heatwave.

Luke Edwards, running for Barnsley Hospital Charity, won the event in 32-58.

Luke, who is from Barnsley but now lives in Bury, said: “I’ve got strong roots here, and with my sister working at the hospital, I see just how much the charity does to support patients and staff.

“Winning was a bonus – giving back was the main goal,”

Luke was 42 seconds clear of the runner-up, cyclist Jenson Young from Hemingfield.

The first woman was Barnsley AC’s Vicky Shaw in 40-50. The 43-year-old lives in Monk Bretton and works at Tesco in Stairfoot. Vicky said: “I had FOMO (fear of missing out) last year as I didn’t enter due to Huddersfield Road being part of the club’s tempo run in the winter.

“I couldn’t think of anything worse than racing on it. However, the atmosphere last year was amazing and I knew I had to run it this year. I wasn’t expecting to get anywhere near first as there are so many great female runners around but somehow the universe aligned.

“It was a tactical race with the warm conditions so I took it steady going out and managed to hold it together on the way back probably because of all the tempo runs. There was amazing support from the running community and beyond and it was a fantastic feeling running back hearing everyone cheering and shouting ‘here comes the first lady.’

“It’s honour to come first in my hometown 10k which nobody can take away.

“Entries for the race went on sale the day my mum passed away last year so I’d like to think she was looking down on me on Sunday.”

Barnsley AC’s Josh Bird was third overall with Wayne Singleton fifth, Chris Gillott seventh, Richard Copley eighth and Morgan Thompson tenth. Barnsley AC had eight of the first 14 finishers.

There were 51 Barnsley AC runners competing. There were age category wins for over40 man Singleton (34-26), over65 man Dave Brooksbank (42-15) and over55 woman Helen Morgan (42-31).

Over40 man Richard Copley (34-36), over35 man Nathan Doy (34-52), over50 man Richard Price (39-29), over60 man Chris McNicholas (42-06) and over70 man Roy Hart (50-48) came second in their categories. Third place age category prizes went to over35 man Gary Briscoe (35-17), over55 man Keith Littlewood (40-00) and over70 man Kevin Manley (52-08). Rob Spedding (44-41), Christopher Ryder (48-56) and Karrie-Anne Nowell (50-04) set PBs while Richard Copley, Phil Montgomery, Lennon Hughes, James Roberts, Keith Littlewood, Dave Findlay, Tayla Brons, Lee Spensley and Laura Mills set course PBs.

There were more than 60 Penistone Footpath Runners in the race, with several winning age group prizes. Leading the way was James Mumford who came ninth overall and was first in the men’s over45 category with a time of 34-40.

Alan Nutton (37-14) and Sean Pitt (37-30) were close behind in 24th and 27th respectively, with Nutton sixth over40 man. Martin Ball won the men’s over50 category in 38-47.

Penistone’s Suzanne McGill claimed first place in the women’s over45 category, placing as fifth woman overall in 41-48. Jade Crosby followed with 42-52 to finish as fourth senior woman and Hannah Shaw was eighth in the same category in 44-41. Lois Lopez came second in the women’s over50 category with a time of 47-49, while Jill Scrivens and Sue Hall added to the club’s age category accolades — Jill finishing fourth over50 with 49-01 and Sue taking first over65 woman in 57-08. Keith Gordon clocked 55-50 to take first place in the over75 men’s category, while Barbara Haigh was first over75 woman 1-06-40.

Further notable performances from Penistone runners included Ian Neville (42-33, third over60 man), Michael Nicholson (44-49, sixth over50 man) and Mark Law (44-55, seventh over60 man).

There were 78 Barnsley Harriers on the start line. Gemma Lister completed her first 10k. There were PBs for Sarah Warrilow, by nine minutes, Chris Fall, four minutes, John McAvinue, three minutes, and Deborah Carrington by two minutes and 47 seconds.

There were age category prizes for Adam Chambers (third over35 man), Fiona Davies (third woman and first over50 woman), Antonette Wilson (second over45 woman), Deborah Wilson (third over60 woman), Vikki Skipper (third over65 woman), Stuart Howes (third over75 man) and John Hewitt (second over80 man).

Meanwhile, at Endure 24 there were 12 Barnsley Harriers taking part in the 24-hour relay event. The ‘Ditched by Dean’ team, consisting of Jason Shepherd, Rachel Jardine, Kelly Ford and Jo Taylor, completed 35 miles each, finishing in 106th place of 994.

The Harrier Hens women’s team of Kay Conway, Julie Riding, Jayne Galloway, Katie Cadwell, Louise Ingham and Helen Andrews were 172nd.

Simon Haywood was the only solo Harrier at the event – completing 60 miles and finishing 156th place as a solo runner and 545th overall.

At the Valley Hill Runners Mid Summer Mad Dash, Penistone’s Jill Scrivens was first over50 woman.

Barnsley AC’s Gail Colville was third woman in 39-11. Ben Hopson (53-21) and Stefen Radyk (56-40) also finished.

A small contingent from Penistone Footpath Runners took on the unique multi-stage Round Sheffield Run — a scenic and challenging event blending trail racing with timed stages across the city’s parks and woodlands.

Top performer for the club was Flynn Rogers, who finished 55th overall in a time of 1-20-59.

At the Harrogate 10k, Barnsley’s Beth Massey was third over50 woman in 47-23.

At the latest Oxspring Trunce, Penistone’s Richard Cottam won in 27-06.

Barbara Haigh was first over75 woman.