THE Guiseley-based Airecentre Pacers running group brought a large team to celebrate the 24th edition of the ‘Guiseley Gallop’ - a 10k Cross Country Run through Esholt Woods.

In total, around 600 competitors took on the challenging two-lap course, which this year was in the sizzling Easter sun.

Andrew Humphries led the Pacers team home in 39 minutes 56 seconds, followed by Kate Macfarlane (50.20), Graeme Cowling (52.04), Tom Gifford (54.02), Chris Hill (56.38), Gavin Birkett (57.56), Helen Waite (58.50), Isobelle Hainsworth Brear (1:03.05), Helen Alcock (1:03.16), Claire Hunter (1:04.52), Megan Dennison (1:06.27), Lynda Parkinson, (1:06.36) and Andy Gledhill (1:06.39).

Pacers also took on the Kenyan maestros of Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei for the 39th edition of the 26.2-mile London Marathon.

More 42,000 took part, and whilst Eliud Kipchoge (2 hours 2 minutes) and Brigid Kosgei (2 hours 18 minutes) won the men's and women’s races, three from the Pacers also delivered landmark performances; Andrew Humphries (2 hours, 41 minutes), Denis Callaghan (5 hours 9 minutes) and Debbie Bland, who has also recently won her age group in the Calderdale 10 (4 hours 8 minutes).

Callaghan, who was completing the London Marathon for the first time, said: “I never thought I would ever be able to do a marathon in my life, but the whole day was magical.

“The atmosphere, support from the crowds was breathtaking, and to have so much Airecentre Pacer support along the streets of London (especially Jenny Mynett and Lynette Clapham) really carried me through to the finish line.”