Britain’s Patrick Dever finished fourth last year, one second shy of third place, only for a doping ban to promote him later. As the 50th five-borough race nears, he faces a field that has lost Sifan Hassan but gained European record-breaker Andreas Almgren.

The 24-year-old ran without a watch to finish second in the second-fastest time by a German woman, while Amanal Petros was beaten by 20 seconds in the men’s race.

The 58:03 winner is the first Spaniard to take the half marathon title, as Sheila Chepkirui set a world-leading 1:03:51 and Laura Luengo broke the women’s national record.

Government to announce a full feasibility study on a “Northern Games” in the 2040s, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham saying the country should feel the excitement again in its own towns and communities.

Swiss 800m runner came within 0.42 seconds of the world record this season, while high jump great is the first Italian to win the award.