Runners pound the pavement for good causes

THOUSANDS OF runners took to the streets of Sheffield to raise money for good causes as the city’s half-marathon returned.

The Lord Mayor of Sheffield Coun Anne Murphy helped the runners warm up yesterday as crowds lined Arundel Gate at the start.

A Sheffield runner known as ‘Mad Man With A Pram’ John Burkhill also helped keep runners entertained following a 10-minute delay to the start time.

Coun Murphy had a boogie at the start line during the warm-up before more than 7,000 runners – made up of serious athletes, club runners,

A group from Sheffield Boxing Centre ran in memory of boxer Scott Westgarth.

charity participants, novice half-marathoners and several in fancy dress – began the run. Mr Burkhill high-fived runners as they crossed the start line before taking to the route himself, with his now famous pram, in what was his 999th fundraising event for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Crowds then lined Pinstone Street to cheer the runners up The Moor to the finish line outside Sheffield Town Hall.

A group from Sheffield Boxing Centre also ran in memory of boxer Scott Westgarth, who died following a fight in February.

The race was won by William Mycroft, who was followed in second place over the finish line by Nicola Squires.

PICTURE: CHRIS ETCHELLS. HIGH SPIRITS: More than 7,000 runners – some in fancy dress – took part in the Sheffield Half Marathon; crowds lined the city’s streets to cheer them across the finish line.