A resounding success all round as female course record broken at the 2024 Yorkshire Marathon Festival

· The Yorkshire Marathon saw Heather Townsend break the current Run For All female course record by nearly one minute, set 11 years ago, with a time of 02:39:11

· Over 8,000 participants took to the streets of York as the Yorkshire Marathon Festival took place

· The county came alive, showcasing an incredible spirit of community and athleticism

For immediate release: Today, the city of York and surrounding areas were flooded with celebrations of endurance and community as thousands of runners completed one of three events making up the iconic and ever-popular Yorkshire Marathon Festival; offering participants, the choice to partake in the 26.2-mile Yorkshire Marathon, the Yorkshire 10 Mile or the Yorkshire Marathon Relay.

Capturing the Yorkshire Spirit with its charitable causes and the masses of cheering spectators from near (and far), championed with a number of entertainment groups along the route. This year’s Yorkshire Marathon Festival was no different and celebrated the qualities of what makes Yorkshire so great; pride, warmth, inclusivity and community spirit. From elites to first-timers, charity runners to running clubs, the Yorkshire Marathon staged under the umbrella of Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the UK’s largest not-for-profit events company, truly is an event for all.

Attracting participants of all ages and abilities, both nationally and internationally from as far as New Zealand and Canada, over eight thousand fun-runners, fundraisers, club runners and elites experienced the region’s rich culture and stunning landscapes.

The marathon featured a challenging yet scenic course, starting at the University of York campus, winding through iconic landmarks such as York Minster and the idyllic Yorkshire countryside of neighbouring areas such as Stockton on the Forest and Heslington before looping back into the city.

With activities kicking off early in the day, participants of the Yorkshire 10-mile covered much of the same route over a shorter distance, while the Yorkshire Marathon Relay saw teams of six work collectively to each take on a leg of the marathon, to complete the full marathon distance.

George Ravenhall claimed victory in the Yorkshire Marathon with a time of 02:24:41, George Mallett came in second in 02:26:07 and third, Edward Buck in a time of 02:28:40.

In the women’s category, Heather Townsend triumphed with an impressive course record breaking performance, crossing the line in 02:39:11 and beating the current female course record which was set at the inaugural Yorkshire Marathon in 2013 by 55 seconds. Alice Bourne finished in second with 02:48:31 and Chloe Malcolm took third place with a time of 02:52:27.

Among those taking part in the Yorkshire 10 Mile included one of Yorkshire’s most known fundraisers, John Burkhill who recently completed his 1050th race in Sheffield. John who’s surpassed a number of fundraising targets has raised over £1 million for Macmillan; a charity so close to his heart.

The men’s Yorkshire 10 Mile was won by Matthew Cooper with a completion time of 00:52:33, followed by Alex Ford with 00:52:41 and third place was taken by Stuart Spencer in 00:53:55.

And for the women’s 10 Mile, Katy Wood crossed the line in 00:56:23, Molly Smith second with a time of 00:58:59 and in third place Naomi Drakeford in 01:02:05.

An impressive 81 teams participated in the Yorkshire Marathon Relay which welcomed teams of six to each take on a different leg of the 26.2-mile course. Passing their armband baton to their awaiting members at various locations along the route, teams showcased an abundance of camaraderie and spirit.

Town Crier, Ben Fry heralded encouraging messages of appreciation and cheer to the participants pre-race. With a voice that echoed through the vicinity along with the obligatory bell ringing, he set the tone for a day which would be filled with celebration and community spirit.

Mike Tomlinson, CEO for Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All commented on the day, “A huge congratulations to each and every person who took part in the Yorkshire Marathon Festival today.

A truly spectacular day and an amazing atmosphere from start to finish, we’re thrilled with the turnout and the energy of the participants and spectators alike.

“Year after year, the Yorkshire Marathon Festival continues to embody the spirit of the community and bring together people from all walks of life and this year was no different.

“Whether it’s to fundraise for a special cause close to their hearts or to chase that personal best time, we hope everyone had a great day.”

As part of the event, runners enthusiastically participated in fundraising efforts for a charity of their own choice, or one of the event’s partner charities including St Leonard’s Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support, York Mind, Age UK York and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

The Yorkshire Marathon Festival has continued to highlight the incredible communities in and around the city since the inaugural marathon in 2013. From music groups, running clubs, volunteers, schools and universities; all corners of the city came out to show their support.

This year’s Yorkshire Marathon Festival was supported by the University of York, High 5, Coopah, Erdinger, Arla Protein, BBC Radio York, Up & Running, Personal Best Vests, York Mix Radio and so much more.

Following on from the success of today’s event, Run For All are delighted to announce that discounted entries for the 2025 Yorkshire Marathon Festival are now live.Set to take place on Sunday 19th October 2025, runners can sign up now at www.runforall.com.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All

Run For All is part of the lasting legacy of the late amateur athlete and fundraiser Jane Tomlinson CBE.

Jane, from Leeds, made headlines around the world by taking part in a series of incredible endurance events - despite being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

By 2007 her declining health meant she was unable to take part in any more extraordinary undertakings. However, using the money she raised on her epic American adventure, Jane was able to sow the seeds for the Run For All Leeds 10K – the cornerstone of what would become her continuing legacy.

Today that one run has grown into one of the UK’s biggest not-for-profit events companies, providing a fundraising vehicle for a huge number of local and national charities. Jane raised £1.85m for children’s and cancer charities before her untimely death from cancer aged just 43 in 2007.

Her family continue to raise funds in her name, and through the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and Run For All, more than £10m has now been raised for charities.

Along with the Yorkshire Marathon Festival, Run For All’s stable of events already includes successful 10Ks and 10Ms in Leeds, Sheffield, York, Hull, King’s Lynn, Lincoln, Bury and Middlesbrough. As well as the Leeds Half Marathon, Sheffield Half Marathon, Ramathon, Ipswich Half Marathon, Coventry Half Marathon and Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.