Despite the rain, Cassiobury Park was filled with over 1500 runners and supporters who participated in Bank Holiday Monday’s 10K Charity Fun Run. The event sold out in advance for the first time. The day, organised by Watford Round Table and Watford Mencap, consisted of a 1K race for under-10s followed by the main 10K race and a 3K for under-15s. The money raised is split equally between Watford Round Table and Watford Mencap Children’s Centre.

Colin Loose and David Burchell, residents at Berrywood, took part in the 3K race with their support workers, Chris Tyson and Alex Betts. Andrew Carter, another support worker from Thorpedale also competed, but this time in the 10K race, finishing in an impressive time of 49 mins 4 secs. Andrew has never run in the Watford 10K before but has completed the Brighton Marathon 3 times!

The winner of the Watford 10K was John Franklin, 26 from London, who completed the course in a time of 34minutes 12 seconds. John, who works as Metropolitan Police Staff and runs for Metropolitan Police Athletic Association, completed the London Marathon earlier this year in an impressive time of 2 hours 29 minutes. This was the first year he had participated in the Watford 10K and said “considering the weather and the route changes, I thought the race ran like clockwork. It isn’t the easiest course to run and navigate but the marshalling was absolutely brilliant.”

The fastest lady back was 22 year old Amy Concannon in a time of 43 mins 15 secs. Amy, who attended Watford Grammar School for Girls, lives in Hatch End and has never competed in the Watford 10K before but ‘will definitely do it next year.’ On finishing the run she said the course had ‘beautiful woodlands and country lanes’ and she ‘really appreciated the scenery’. Amy is a member of Harrow Athletics Club where she competes in 10K, cross country and 1500m events but was also heavily involved in the Athletics Club at Warwick University from which she has recently graduated with a 2:1 in English Literature. Amy is currently on a six-month internship with London branding agency Lambie-Nairn.

Sharon McHugh was the Veteran Women’s winner with a time of 43 mins 41 secs. Sharon works for Metropolitan Police and has had previous success at the Watford 10K winning the Senior event in 2010 and finishing 3rd in Veteran Ladies last year.

Mike Dooley won the Veteran Men’s competition in a time of 37 mins 55 secs. Mike, who runs for the Army Athletics Association, completed the race last year finishing 3rd in the same category.

In the 3K race, the overall winner was Marella Whitfield with a time of 11 mins 30 secs. Marella, who is 13 years old and attends Loreto College in St Albans, runs for Harrow Athletics Club and also does cross country competitions. She won the 10-12 Girls category in 2010 and won the 13-15 Girls category this year.

Charles Green won the 13-15 Boys 3K in a time of 12 mins 49 secs. The 10-12 Boys 3K was won by Euan Wiley in 11 mins 46 secs. Euan, who is 12 years old and attends Watford Grammar School for Boys, ran the event last year and finished 8th in the 10-12 Boys category 2010. 11 year old Elise Eden was this year’s 3K 10-12 Girls winner. Elise, who attends Chalfont Community College finished in a time of 13 mins 59 secs.

The 1K race was won by Tom Hunter in 4 mins and 7 secs and this was the 2nd time he had competed in the event. Tom, aged 9, attends Chalfont St Peter Academy and runs for Chiltern Harriers Athletics Club. The Girls category was won by Zoe Cowan. Zoe, aged 8 from Fleetville Junior School in St Albans, finished the course in 5 mins 1 second.

Camelot, Gold Sponsors for the fourth year running, entered 20 employees with Hamish Wilson coming home first in a time of 49 mins 30 secs. Julian Price, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Camelot, came to cheer on the runners and present prizes to some of the winners.

Councillor Lindsey Scudder, The Chairman of Watford Borough Council, fired the starting hooter for all races and joined Tim Wood, Watford Round Table Chairman and Pauline Joy, Vice-Chair and Treasurer of Watford Mencap, in the prize giving ceremony. Councillor Scudder chose Watford Mencap as one of her charities for her Chairman’s year.

Vibe 107.6FM, the publicity supporters, provided lively commentary and music to keep runners and supporters motivated. They also interviewed volunteers, participants and organisers and attracted attention with their branded car!

Through online fundraising with Just Giving, over £4,900 has already been pledged and organisers hope this sum increases over the coming weeks. The money is vital to improving the lives of people with learning disabilities in South West Herts and in supporting local good causes such as Colne Valley Special Sailors and the Samaritans who are beneficiaries of Watford Round Table’s share of the funds. Prizes for the people raising most sponsorship have been kindly donated by the Prince of Bengal, Moor Park Golf Club, TK Maxx, the Harlequin Centre and the NL Group and participants are strongly encouraged to keep fundraising, online and offline, until the fundraising deadline of 1st June.

Matthew Loddy, who recently completed the challenge of running 100 marathons in 100 days, finished in 39 mins 38 secs. Sheryl Gascoigne and her children Bianca and Regan who supported Matthew in his challenge also competed in the 10K alongside 68 other employees and their children from Framework Scaffolding. For more photos go to: Sussexsportphotography.com