Thousands join in Tomlinson run

Steven Tomlinson kick-started Sunday's race

The husband of Jane Tomlinson said she would have been "thrilled" by a charity race in her name which saw more than 12,000 people run for good causes.

Mrs Tomlinson's 10-year-old son Steven followed in his mother's footsteps by officially starting the 10km (6.2 mile) event in Leeds city centre on Sunday.

Last year's race, which was organised by Mrs Tomlinson and her family, raised more than £500,000 for good causes.

Her widower Mike said the event had been an "incredible success".

Mrs Tomlinson died in September after a seven-year battle with cancer.

Round of applause

She had raised more than £1.75m for charity through a series of marathons and endurance events in Britain and America.

Mr Tomlinson said: "I've never seen so many people with smiles on their faces before.

"It was just a beautiful day. The city looked lovely and the runners just had a good time."

Mrs Tomlinson was too ill to take part in last year's race

Mr Tomlinson said there was a "very emotional moment" at the start of the run when a spontaneous round of applause broke out for his late wife.

"Jane would have been touched," he said. "A lot of family and friends took part. She would have been thrilled by it."

Mrs Tomlinson's daughter Rebecca, 20, came seventh in the women's race.

Just ahead of her was Leeds-born model Nell McAndrew.

They were joined by 12,000 entrants - many in fancy dress - who ran, jogged, walked and wheeled around the city centre course, while thousands more lined the streets to cheer them on.

This year's event is expected to raise about £750,000 for numerous charities.