10K Challenge is runaway success
Above: Ready for the off
Above: Pauline and David King thought they would wear fitting hats for the occasion
Above: Svetlana Plummer, Frank Bruno, Penny Mallory, Lawrence Levy and Louise Lear
Above: A Porsche for the day was on offer for the winning runner
RUNNERS really proved their worth as they put their best foot forward to take part in the Herts 10K Challenge.
Now in its second year, the event attracted 2,043 people all keen to raise money for Grove House Hospice in St Albans. Runners enjoyed surprisingly warm weather as they ran the multi-terrain course which took them through the beautiful countryside surrounding Harpenden, with the race starting and finishing at Rothamsted Research.
The Herts 10K Challenge, which is sponsored by St Albans-based IT and pharmaceutical recruitment and resourcing company Levy Associates and organised by Fast Talk Promotions, celebrated an amazing amount of runners on the day, but also gained a record number of spectators lining the race route on Sunday, October 14.
This year’s race was started by former WBC World Heavyweight Champion Frank Bruno who turned up to offer his support and sent the runners on their way. A few familiar faces who ran this year’s race were BBC Breakfast weather presenter Louise Lear and her husband, who are both big supporters of Grove House, plus former Female British World Rally Champion and TV presenter Penny Mallory. The event was also joined by Bert Pawle, the Mayor of Harpenden, who presented all the race cups to the winners, along with Lawrence Levy, managing director of Levy Associates, founder of the race and main sponsor.
There was a tremendous atmosphere at the event, with lots of runners enjoying the pre-race warm up and many others taking part in fancy dress costumes, adding to the spirit and helping to make this year’s event a memorable occasion.
Organisers believe the event has now stamped itself firmly on the race event calendar. Paul Parrish, fundraising director for Grove House, said, ‘The second Herts 10K Challenge is the biggest event we have done to date and we’re truly amazed and very proud at the number of runners who signed up to do this year’s race and support Grove House Hospice.
‘It was an incredible sight to see all the runners lined up to start the race, plus all those who kindly turned up to offer their support.’
Lawrence Levy added, ‘The Herts 10K Challenge was founded to raise money for Grove House Hospice and I really feel that, after the successful turnout of runners this year, this race has now become a permanent fixture on the Hertfordshire calendar.’