Otley AC’s Matt John romped home in first place in Blackpool's Great North West Half Marathon record- ing both a personal best and the 12th fastest time in the country this year at that distance.

His time of 68:53 was around five minutes faster than his previous best.

The first lady was Dianne McVey (Wilmslow Running Club) in 58th in 83:44. There were 1,140 finishers.

In the Snake Lane 10-Mile race in Pocklington, Matt Broughton finished 121st in 65:34 to record a pb by nearly two minutes, while Howard Jeffrey was 344th (76:11), Billy Rayner 524th (83:43) and Hannah Mallinson 660th (95:00).

Organised by Pocklington Runn- ers, the race was won by Carl Ryde (Doncaster) in 51:59 and the first lady in 63rd position overall was Melissa Neal (March AC) in 62:22.

Two members of Airecentre Pacers as part of their preparation for the London Marathon travelled over the Pennines to take part in the North West Half Marathon where they were confronted by cold and windy conditions at Blackpool.

Both had good runs. Paul Grindley put up a good perform- ance to come 100th (1.27.58) in a field of over 1000 runners. Gavin Watmuff had a personal best over a half marathon coming 210th (1.34.20).