RUNNERS gained top-three finishes on home soil in the eighth English Half Marathon and associated 10k.

Louise Blizzard, a forensic scientist from Houghton Green, was third woman to reach the Golden Gates finish in the weekend’s half marathon as the streets of Warrington were pounded by more than 5,000 entrants.

The 41-year-old, who runs for Belgrave Harriers, was second in the women’s over 40s category and 114th overall in 1hr 30mins 48secs.

First woman home on Sunday was Victoria Atess from Stockport Harriers, while the men’s title went to Dejene Gezimu from Liverpool Harriers in a course record 1hr 7mins 42secs.

Tom Mills was first to finish for Warrington Athletics Club in 13th place with 1hr 19mins 32secs.

He was followed closely by Steve Watmough, 17th, in 1hr 20mins 5secs, Ryan Sutton, 242nd, in 1hr 36mins 9secs and Ladislav Taric, 273rd, in 1hr 37mins 56secs.

Warrington can boast another four finishers in the top 22.

They were Jonathan Smith, Lymm Runners, eighth, 1hr 17mins 41secs; Robin Muir, Spectrum Striders, 14th, 1hr 19mins 37secs; Lee Fuller, Warrington Running Club, 20th overall, eighth in men’s over 40s category, 1hr 20mins 30secs; Mark Heavey, Warrington Road Runners, 22nd overall, ninth in men’s over 40s, 1hr 21mins 17secs.

Paul Bagan, who runs for Spectrum Striders, was third in the 10k in 34mins 42secs.

Przemyslaw Tomczak won in a course record 33mins 54secs.

Warrington Athletics Club’s under 17s runner Isabelle Trevithick was the first junior woman to complete this year's 10k, with 42mins 58secs seeing her finish as seventh woman and 45th overall.

She had company from two clubmates, with Kelly Crossley, 65th overall in 45mins 35secs, while Dave Tomkins was 75th in 46mins 28secs to take second in the over 65s age group.

First to complete the 10k for Warrington Running Club, among a field of 765, was Chris Falls – fifth in the men’s over 40s race, 24th overall.

Warrington RC’s Nicola Critchlow was fourth in the women’s over 40s event, 13th woman, 59th overall.

Fifth woman in that category and 71st overall was Warrington Road Runners’ Tarja Barnes.

Warrington AC’s girls dominated the accompanying one-mile race, taking the first three places.

Rebecca Nixon, 5mins 53secs, was followed in by Molly Wormald, 6mins 10secs and Lucie Davies, 6mins 35secs.

Rob Griffiths, race director, said: “It was a fantastic day. Once again we’re receiving great feedback about the event.

“This is entirely due to the support of the local running community, local partners in the town, volunteers and the commitment from our team to really deliver something memorable for everyone.”

Runners hailing from the furthest reaches of the UK, and as far afield as New Zealand, took part.