Runners from across the country gathered in Centenary Square to compete in the Bradford Epilepsy Action 10k road race on Sunday.

The rain held off as almost 1,000 people took part in the race, which is one of the main fundraising events of the year for the epilepsy charity.

From experienced runners to first-timers running to raise money for the charity, hundreds gathered in Centenary Square to compete in the third annual race.

Ian Tordoff, 31, of Baildon, was part of a group of five who ran the race in memory of Andrew Baldwin, also of Baildon, who died of epilepsy at the age of 32 last year.

He said: “We were running because of one friends died last year of epilepsy. Everyone is really pleased that we have done the race and raised the money.”

The race was won by Ben Bennett, 40, who came from Nottingham to compete. He completed the course in 33 minutes and 15 seconds, a little more than two minutes slower than the course record, set last year, of 31 minutes and 26 seconds.

Mr Bennett said: “I was surprised to win because I looked at results of previous years and usually in a race like this I wouldn’t even consider there was any chance of finishing first, so I guess most of the fast lads stayed away.”

The first woman to cross the finish line meanwhile was Mary Wilkinson, 29, of Skipton, who was running for Bingley Harriers. She said: “I’m happy, it was a good run. I felt strong to start with and it was a really good atmosphere out there.”

Miss Wilkinson, who also runs for Great Britain, said it was good to see a 10k race in Bradford. She said: “There’s a few little climbs then it’s virtually flat, so it’s a good race.”

The race also featured a few runners in fancy dress, including Matthew Broadbent who completed the race in a full purple lycra suit.

Mr Broadbent, a crew member at Odsal Fire Station, was one of several runners from West Yorkshire Fire Service raising money for Epilepsy Action along with the Trudy Ramsden Memorial Fund.

Epilepsy Action spokesman Aimee Gee said: “This is one of our main fundraising events and we are very proud to have it in Bradford because we are based not far away.

“Last year we raised just over £28,000, so obviously we are hoping to do just a little better this year.”