BARNSLEY woman Julie Briscoe became world champion for her age group at the Bucharest Marathon in Romania this week.

The nurse from Ward Green was competing in the World Masters Marathon Championships on Sunday, and finished first in the over45 women’s category by more than 20 minutes.

Her time of 2-49-36 meant she was second veteran woman overall and first European as the winner was an over35 woman from Morocco.

Julie said: “It was very special. Everything went perfectly. My aim was to get gold for my age category, and I wasn’t bothered about the time.

“I did my research and knew I could win it. It was probably the easiest marathon I’ve ever done. It has to rank as one of the best things I’ve ever done.

“I ran for England, in the general category not veterans, in the World 50k Championships and came ninth.

“That was just before Covid-19 and, obviously, as a nurse, everything else stopped and it was a very difficult time.

“But I am starting to get the love of running back again now.

“I’m competing in Belfast in four weeks for England Masters in cross country then I’d like to do some big marathons around the world like London and Berlin.”

Meanwhile, Eleanor Baker, of Barnsley AC, finished as fifth woman running in the elite race at the Manchester Half Marathon – despite battling a foot injury.

The 20-year-old from Barugh Green, who would like to compete in the Olympics in the future, finished in an official time of 1-15-44.

She said: “Going into the race, I was coming back from eight weeks out with an injury and sustained another niggle in my foot, so I was apprehensive.

“But I wasn’t able to run it last year and I was excited to take an elite spot.

“I felt quite a lot of pain from about halfway but I decided to grit through it.

“I am happy with the time and coming in fifth with that calibre of athletes, considering the circumstances. I had only had a couple of runs outside. I was the youngest in the elite field as well.

“I’ve never been as fit but unfortunately I had this injury.

“Now I am looking towards next year and competing in some big races against top runners regularly.”

Reece Hollingworth knocked more than ten minutes off his PB with 1-22-57 while James Roberts ran 1-23-22 – his second fastest time. It was Caron Holburt’s first ever half marathon which she finished in 2-36-38. Caroline Spensley and Jacqueline Wallace, running for charities close to their hearts, both completed the 13.1 miles in 2-40-40. Laura Mills’ time was 2-16-13. First back for Penistone Footpath Runners was Alex Harris in 1-29-50 while there were PBs for Chloe Hinchliffe (2-03-02) and Amelia Cottam (2-15-46).

Two Penistone Footpath Runners took on the Ladybower reservoir 52k trail race ultra in the Peak District.

Dan Rushforth was first back in 5-53-57 for 134th place while Mark Crossley completed the gruelling event in 7-30-06 for 546th. Barnsley AC’s Callum Hobson completed the course in 5-28-34.

There was a shorter 22k race combined with the ultra which saw Penistone’s Andrew Heppenstall finish fifth in a time of 1-36-22. Rhianna Banford (2-25-44) and Chloe Worth (2-25-45) also completed the 22k race, finishing 311th and 312th.

At the Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, James Mumford (35-16) was first back for Penistone while Sean Pitt landed a PB in 38-58. Barnsley AC runners set PBs including Kai Sunman (31-14), Morgan Thompson (33-28) and Lennon Hughes (37-23). Nathan Doy (34-40), Gavin Walker (35-04) and Kris Brown (44-59).

At the Holmfirth 10k, Richard Williams was first Penistone runner back in 44-52, while first woman for the club was Jill Scrivens in 57-47. There were age category podiums for Barbara Haigh (first over75 woman) and Sarah Halstead (third over55 woman).

Penistone’s Flynn Rogers took third place in the men’s under20 age category at the Sheffield Ten 10 Ten trail race.

Penistone’s Olivia Clough took on the Sheffield City 10k, finishing in 1-05-27.

Penistone’s Rory O’Sullivan took on the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London, finishing in 1-52-55.

Penistone’s Georgina Doyle and Seuranie Johnstone took part in the Munich Marathon. They crossed the line together, in a time of 4-40-16.

Barnsley AC’s Joy Benson travelled to the USA in search of her next Marathon Major medal. She finished the Chicago Marathon in 5-27-18 to add a fourth star having already completed the New York, London and Berlin Marathons.

At the Hadrian’s Wall Half Marathon, new Barnsley AC member Dave Findlay finished in a time of 2-13-09.

Barnsley AC’s Gail Colville was first woman at the XXXIX Carrera Popularde Mojacar 9k race in a time of 41-45.

At October’s York 5k, Barnsley AC’s Lydia Race set a PB of 18-19 and finished as third woman.

The South Yorkshire Cross Country League started on Sunday with the first fixture at Norfolk Park in Sheffield.

Barnsley AC’s under11 girls Tilly-May Ryder, Ellie-May Ryder and Casey-May Ryder finished in 9-35, 9-38 and 9-57 respectively over 1500m. Under 13 girl Beau Beecroft ran 3000m in 15-02.

The veteran women’s course was 5500m with Christina Laking (26-15), Faye Lund (31-36) and Linda Westlake (35-55) all finishing. On the men’s side, under 17 Joe Cox finished the 6000m in 27-53.

Senior men Richard Butterley (39-22), Lee Spensley (41-14) and Ray Archer (52-52) completed an 8000m course.