VIDEO: Sun shines on Sheffield Plusnet Half Marathon 2016

2016 Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon in Sheffield.

Arundel Gate was packed with people of all ages and abilities as the first wave crossed the start line at 9.30am before the first finishers came through in Pinstone Street about an hour later.

More than 7,000 people signed up to this year’s race, and many were running to raise money for good causes.

The course took them through the city and out towards the Peak District, before returning back the way they came for the big finish.

Among the famous names to take part were former Premier League referee Howard Webb and boxer Kell Brook.

2016 Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon in Sheffield. Rose Ward waiting for her husband John.

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Among those running for charity was Tom Golding, 21, from High Green, and a group of his friends who met at Ecclesfield School. They are all running for the Children’s Hospital Charity.

Tom said: “I lost my older brother about six years ago. He was in the hospital. They did a lot of work for him and our family.

“We’ve raised more than £1,000 so far.”

2016 Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon in Sheffield. The winner, John Franklin.

University of Sheffield student Sam Morley, 21, decided to run dressed as the Honey Monster. He was on the start line with the elite runners. He said: “I try to do it every year dressed as a different character. Last year I was the pink panther.

“I’m not sure why I’ve ended up at the front.”

Sam is raising money for Dig Deep, a Sheffield charity that funds water sanitation projects in Kenya.

Former Premier League referee Howard Webb said he would try to pace himself a bit better this year.

2016 Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon in Sheffield. Sam Clements, 11, from Ecclesall

“Last year my knees were in agony,” he said. “That’s wear and tear from years of running around football pitches.

“The hill climb is tough but it’s a great feeling coming down Ecclesall Road.”

Stevie-Lee Clark, 26, from Crookes, ran with his friend Hugo Russell to raise money for the Cathedral Archer Project. He said: “I did pretty well. I took about five minutes off my best time and did it in 1.28.22.

“I’ve run two but I missed last year. We did a bit more training on the hills this year. The course is up and down the hills all the way.”

Friends Kim Baxter, 39, and Jodie Thake, 39, ran together and finished fourth and fifth of all the women. They are both mums and had plenty of high fives from their children on the way round.

Jodie was raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support. She said: “I chose the charity because my dad died in October. I’ve raised £1,500. Thanks to all the Dobcroft mums for sponsoring me.”

2016 Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon in Sheffield. Hugo Russell and Stevie-Lee Clark

Rose Ward was waiting for her husband John and friend Alison Griffiths, of the Smiley Paces running club in Sheffield. She said: “There are a lot of Smileys running so we came down to give our support. It’s a fab day.”