London Winter 10k - Sunday 25th February 2024

Just a month after the success of many of our runners at Farnborough half, which feels like yesterday, here we were again with yet another fun filled event with plenty of runners in attendance. With not much change in weather temperatures being zero degrees and starting the day at 6am with plenty of comments “it’s soooo soooo cold” we had limited choice of warm clothing due to the very small race bag! We were soon in the underground having to get the body prepared for what’s to come! Despite this shivering feeling, it was soon warmed up by the positive crowd boosting the energy to complete the 6.2 miles task ahead. 

You cant beat a day out in London, before, during and after the race with plenty of amazing views, food and wine! But the best part is running on the streets joined by 17,000 people which makes for a cracking atmosphere. To then be surrounded with happy faces enjoying the occasion (posing for race pics) but determined runners all there to better themselves. A 10k race is one that you can easily get carried away with and lose the pace with going out too quickly! Myself have learnt this a few times, but I was here to let go of being competitive with 2 future London events in mind, to provide before, during and after support of encouragement! That’s what being part of a team is all about, this FTRC team especially are very united and yesterday showed that. So many wonderful pictures for amazing memories but no better place to move on to than the race times….

We had Jack Jeffery leading the way coming in with a Winter PB, time of 47:35 with an impressive negative split too! Very soon after that we had myself (Owen Hardy) and Amy-Claire (who I was gladly pacing, not killing!) with an impressive 49:35! Three and a half minutes knocked off her previous 10k PB time! Must be the Alphaflys, with a wagamama’s to look forward to afterwards. These two setting the standard was not long followed by Deborah Hardman at her first ever running event! With a time of 51:38 and her energy on the day was amazing before and after the run, feel she may have the event day bug now. 

We then had Laura Bartlett who has been pushing herself recently and got a time of 55:40, Sarah Harris and Gary Sheehan not far behind with times of 56:24 and 57:02, both achieving PB’s. We then had Sharon Robinson 58:06 and Carla getting under the hour with a time of 58:10 who turned up and ran hard having had train challenges and a recent injury, a fighter for sure. 

Joining Carla under the hour was Sarah Trickey with a time of 58:15, who again had wonderful energy about her before and after the event. These great runners were followed by more, Chris and Julie running together getting in with 1 hour and then with Tanya Jeffery 1 hour 7, who has made huge progress to be where she is today, the club are delighted to see her back in her running shoes. Tanya was followed by wonderful ladies who achieved PB’s Kris Brown 1 hour 17, Rachel Sturdy 1 Hour 19 and Jenny Vezey 1 Hour 19.

An unbelievable morning of running from Farnham Town, every single person who turned up and gave their best should be so proud and already looking ahead to the event next year with a great flat course, lots of great people but most importantly a very good looking, impressive medal! 

The numbers and turnout was amazing which sets us up nicely for the next event to come and the potential of the same again if not even better next year with more PB’s just around the corner. 

Well done all! 

Let’s go Farnham Town Running Club!

Race Report written by: Owen Hardy.