Double delight for bus driver Bruno

Masterchef 2015 winner Simon Wood gets ready for the race

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MORE than 300 runners raced through the streets of Oldham yesterday as the popular Milltown 10k returned.

The third Milltown 10k started in the town centre and took runners through Shaw and Royton before returning to the start. A shower of rain wasn’t enough to damp the spirits of the runners: 335 took part.

First over the line after 34 minutes and four seconds was bus driver Bruno Lima (34), from Chadderton, who runs for Salford Harriers and Athletics Club. Second was Jacob Ragan of Middleton Harriers in 34 minutes 16 seconds and third was Rob James in 35 minutes, 37 seconds.

Bruno, who also won last year, said: “It’s great to win. It was a good race. The last mile was pretty much all uphill.”

The first woman over the line was Kirsty Johnson (27) in 40 minutes, seven seconds: “I really wasn’t expecting to win, I thought I’d be a bit further down but it’s great. It’s a really nice race and it’s great to get the roads closed.”

Jane Augsburger of Royton Road Runners, came second after 42 minutes, 53 seconds, followed by Sarah Carroll in 43 minutes, 10 seconds.

A couple of familiar faces also took part, namely former Leeds Rhinos rugby star Barrie McDermott, who ran with his daughter Sophie for Father’s Day and crossed the finish line hand-in-hand after 62 minutes, 54 seconds.

And Masterchef 2015 winner Chadderton’s Simon Wood - who prepared with a bowl of porridge and an energy drink - recorded 46 minutes, 16 seconds.

“It was really hilly,” he said. “I drive that route all the time and you don’t realise how hilly it is until you actually run it. It’s a great race and a great event.”

Race organiser Alan Keane, senior health and physical activity development officer at OCL, said: “It’s been fantastic again. A bit of rain but it’s quite good for running and typical Oldham weather.”

twitter: @AlexCareyOC