Welcome return of the Fred Hughes 10
Over 800 runners completed the tough undulating course on Sunday morning. Scott Cousins won the race in an impressive new course record time of 50 minutes and 12 seconds. Alex Bampton won the event the last time it was held in 2020, and finished second this time ahead of Mark Innocenti.
Alice Belcher prevailed in a sprint finish to be first female in an excellent time of 59 minutes and 21 seconds. Kate Rennie was edged into second place with Sophie Delderfield in third.
Whilst the event is open to all, it was graced by representatives from 76 different running clubs. St Albans Striders took the men’s team prize, followed by Garden City Harriers and Gade Valley Harriers. Dacorum AC were the winning women’s team, followed by St Albans Striders and Harpenden Arrows.
Over 100 Striders completed the course, led home by Adam Yorwerth claiming 10th place overall in 56:37. The ladies were led home by Hannah Burkhardt in 66:49, finishing 12th female and 3rd in her age category. The event is also the Hertfordshire County Veterans 10 miles championship. Again St Albans Striders were well represented with Chris Wrighton winning gold in the M40 category, Andrew McKillop winning gold in the M50 category in a new age group club record time of 60:42, and John Cooper claiming top spot in the M60 category in 65:52. David Prince claimed silver in the M70 category, whilst Judy Willits and Eileen Sindole claimed bronze medals in the F55 and F65 categories respectively.
The national age group record for women aged over 65 (F65) in the 10 mile distance is thought to have been broken by Lynda Henbury in 70:28. Yuko Gordon is also believed to have posted the second fastest ever time in the UK in the M70 category (75.35).
Striders have staged this popular 10 mile race each January since 1986, from whom 140 volunteers turned out to make the race safe and enjoyable.
Elsewhere, Richard Evans crossed the border into Wales to finish 3rd male in the Sorbrook Slog.
Photo credits:
Main picture - photo by Nicky Laitner
Men’s winner – Scott Cousins – photo by Mark Easton
Men’s podium – photo by Mike Martin
Women’s podium – photo by Mike Martin
Adam Yorwerth – photo by Nicky Laitner
Hannah Burkhardt – photo by Nicky Laitner
Andrew McKillop – photo by Nicky Laitner
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