NEAL Emmerson shaved nearly two minutes off his best time for a half marathon on his way to second place in Bradford City event.

The Radcliffe Athletic Club runner finished the undulating four-lap course of the city-centre in 1hr 17mins 28secs, knocking 1:51 off his previous best time for the distance.

Paul Swyers, Michelle Hincks and Sarah Oxley ventured out of the city to get their running fix, taking on the spectacular yet challenging Snowdonian Marathon.

The event has twice been voted the best British marathon, but it is perhaps difficult to fully appreciate the 2,750 feet of climbing up the Llanberis Pass during the race as it encircles Mount Snowdon in road, trail and fell.

Swyers (V50) completed his first crack at a marathon in 4:35:58, and was followed home by Hincks in 5:02:28 and Oxley in 5:46:53.

Sarah Scott also took part in her first marathon on Saturday, running along the towpaths of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in the Hubble Bubble event in Kirkstall. She carried herself well, finishing fourth woman in 4:35:48.

Fiona Lynch and Lisa Carter joined forces to take part in the 50th anniversary OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) – a two-day event with an overnight wild camp.

It was held in Langdale, in the Lake District, in brutal weather conditions which tested their navigational skills to the limit as they battled to find checkpoints on Saturday in driving rain, 60mph winds and poor visibility, carrying everything they needed for the two days.

Sadly they were timed out and ran on to the overnight camp.

The next day, in glorious conditions as non-competitive runners, they visited checkpoints on their way back to the event HQ.

It was Halloween fancy dress for runners in the Trick or Treat 4 Mile Trail Run at Barrow Bridge, Bolton on Saturday.

Six club members took part, with Mauro Rotondi first V45 in 34:30 and Andy Wheeler first V60 in 49:52.

Jenny Entwistle, Christine Berry and Lisa Donnelly, both V45s and Katie Benson went round together, in great costumes, clocking 1:01:29.

Three took to the hills on Saturday near Littleborough for the Race You To The Summit Fell Race.

Covering 4.3 miles and 853 feet, Ian Warrington for first back for the club with Scott Baxter next and then Mark Wolfenden.

It was a busy weekend for Radcliffe with Kate Holden travelling to Crawley in West Sussex where she ran the Crawley 10k on Sunday and bagged herself a prize when she was fourth woman and first V40, clocking 51:00.

Three others ran the very hilly Accrington 10k with Chris Paxton 49th overall out of 524 in 41:05, followed by Kris Lee (46:14) and Kirsten Cook (54:52).