It was a beautiful day for a race as Oldham's hotly anticipated Halloween half marathon returned to the sunshine today and made for a roaring success with plenty of PB's beaten.

More than 400 runners signed up to the Oldham Halloween half marathon, which started at 9.30am sharp today (Sunday, October 27) in Oldham town centre.

The start line had moved this year from St Mary's Way to the top of Yorkshire Street, and from there runners endured a 13.1-mile slog through the town centre, passing through Derker, Watersheddings and Sholver before reaching the peak at Grains Bar at around the five-mile mark.

Racing off from OldhamRacing off from Oldham (Image: OMBC)

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While the hill, estimated at a whopping 340 metres above sea level, was certainly breathtaking (in more ways than one), many enjoyed the welcome descent back down, passing through Delph, Dobcross, Uppermill and Greenfield before completing the last stretch through Lydgate, Lees and Glodwick.

The results are now in for the fastest runners with David Barratt, running for Salford Harriers, passing the finish line first at an impressively speedy 1:10:14.

The winnersThe winners (Image: OMBC)

Five minutes later, Michael Mannings of Oldham & Royton Harriers & AC, crossed the line, coming in at second place at 1:15:18, followed by Ben Riley of Wigan Harriers at 1:17:17.

Speaking to The Oldham Times at the finish line, Royton Road Runners' Rob James came in fourth place and was just milliseconds behind third with a chip time of 1:17:24.

As his fifth race, Rob said he felt "good" about his time today, especially as last year he was in the winning position but took a wrong turn towards the end.

RobRob James (Image: NQ, Olivia Bridge)

Rob loves the Oldham half for its hills, saying: "It's my kind of race."

He added: "At least I went the right way this time."

The first female to finish then emerged to a roar of cheers as Martha Barker, running from Saddleworth Runners club, scored a chip time of 1:27:12.

Martha and MaisieMartha and Maisie (Image: NQ, Olivia Bridge)

Martha summarised how she felt as simply "tired" and said she didn't do quite as well as last year but was pleased all the same.

Maisie Wainwright, another Royton Road Runner, wasn't far behind her, finishing her half at 1:34:57.

Maisie said: "I'm really happy, four minutes faster than last year.

Others donned fancy dress for the occasionOthers donned fancy dress for the occasion (Image: OMBC)

"I knew there was a chance I'd get up on the podium but it's always really tight - it depends who turns up."

When asked how she shaved off her time, she said: "I've been training like mad!"

The runner also said race conditions were "really good" with the sun shining while being "nice and cool".

This runner collected last-minute donations in a wheelbarrow This runner collected last-minute donations in a wheelbarrow (Image: OMBC)

Gaynor Keane of Saddleworth Runners Club was then crowned the third-place female with a chip time of 1:35:11.

The day's event saw many other keen runners take to the challenge, including Emma Smith who was greeted by an outpouring of cheers from her daughter, Skyler, and partner, Alex.

Emma was the seventh woman to complete the race with a chip time of 1:44:40.

Emma Smith and her very proud familyEmma Smith and her very proud family (Image: NQ, Olivia Bridge)

She said to The Oldham Times: "I finished 1:44, same as last year but I do have a knee injury so I'll take it, I'll take it all day."

Emma started running 'officially' in lockdown and is now an ambassador for Local Runners Podcast based in Tameside.

The podcast is "for runners, by runners" and is made up of five enthusiastic club-level runners.

The team interviews runners past and present, whether fast, steady or slow, discuss some of the kit they use and organise group runs across the Greater Manchester area.

When asked why Emma wanted to take on the Oldham half, she said: "I live in Oldham, it's on my doorstep and I love a challenge, so why not?"

Meltham runnersMeltham runners (Image: NQ, Olivia Bridge)

Speaking of running clubs, a trio representing Meltham Running Club, made up of Sara Lewis (eighth female), John Michael Gray and Ian Eccleshall, were sporting their club's snazzy purple and green kit post-race and were in high spirits.

The challenging incline likewise didn't deter them as they said they're just from "over the hill" and are therefore "used to it".

Ian also said it was a beautiful day for a race and was somewhat tempted by McDonald's - though Sara said she "felt sick" and was still recovering from the hill.

Many others also ran for causes close to their heart, such as Andrew Anchor, who spoke to The Oldham Times clutching a well-deserved pint.

Andrew AnchorAndrew Anchor (Image: NQ, Olivia Bridge)

Andrew finished the half in 1:48:31 which he said he was "very happy" about after giving it a shot more than six years ago and passing the line at 2:30.

He added: "It was the first half I ever did - so I've batted it out of the park this time."

Andrew ran to raise money for GroceryAid which supports grocery colleagues in need with emotional and mental health support.

Andrew said it is a "great charity" and his JustGiving fundraiser has passed more than £300 at the time of writing.

Oldham & Royton Harriers & ACOldham & Royton Harriers & AC (Image: NQ)

Finally, Lucy Wood, Steve Rowe, Mark Oliver, Jamie Cloran and Nikki Mills of Oldham & Royton Harriers & AC stopped for a brief chat.

Lucy said the hills were tough while Steve said it was his first - and he "loved it".

Club coach, Callum Wood (sixth on the left in the photograph), also joined in for a quick picture and revealed he had completed the Snowdonia Marathon just yesterday before turning back to Oldham.

Amazingly, Callum said he could've "done another marathon" today and smashed the Oldham half in 1:49:16, but admitted he was "ready for a pint".

Callum took on his 24-hour challenge to raise money for Mahdlo Youth Zone which he said is a "fantastic charity" for all it does to support local young people.

At the time of writing, Callum's 'Snowdonia to Oldham' donation page has raised £600 - and counting as many more are still coming in.

Sometimes we just need a helping handSometimes we just need a helping hand (Image: NQ, Olivia Bridge)

There were plenty of other heartwarming moments on the day, including runners being helped by loved ones to reach the finish line and cheers and shouts of encouragement from strangers.

Some also took the opportunity to run the race in fancy dress - from ghoulish Halloween-themed to a determined 'police officer' who ran with a wheelbarrow to collect donations as he went.

A banner on his top read: 'Roy Jewitt’s Road to Recovery - help me help him, The Stoke Association".

Did you run the Halloween half today and have a story to tell? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk