Muddy runners hail ‘brilliant’ 10k race
First-time Thatcham event great for family and friends
THE wind and mud were no match for runners in Thatcham at the weekend.
Nearly 250 runners donned their trainers and took part in the town’s first 10k race.
The wet weather did pose challenges for the event organisers, though, who had to settle for their contingency route.
It was put together by a community-based committee, led by town councillor Ben Schiffer-Harte (Lib Dem, Thatcham North East), following a town council offer to support community groups in organising new events.
There were still plenty of muddy pathways for runners to squelch along, but the route change avoided any wading through the reed beds and slipping along the canal towpath.
And there was an interesting twist at the finish line.
The runner who crossed first and the fastest runner over 10k were not the same person.
Four early front runners missed a turning early on and the organisers had to quickly communicate a revised route for them so they didn’t fall short of running 10k.
This meant two first place awards were handed out.
One was awarded to the fastest runner over 10k, Stephen Edwards of Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds RC, and another to the first man over the line, Ethan Kuijten of Team Kennet Athletics & Triathlon Club.
Mr Kuijten said: “I’m pleased with how it went.”
The first female over the line was Claire Hall.
She said: “It’s been great to have another friendly and local race, and a really good set-up for family and friends supporting seeing them a couple of times on the course.
“Having not raced for a while it was wonderful to have one so close.
“Ben did an incredible job at making this happen, in only seven months.
“Thanks to all the marshals as ever and a huge well done to the second and third ladies – a brilliant, muddy race, though I didn’t manage to catch my husband.”
The first club team honours went to Newbury Athletic Club, thanks to Steve Barnes, Aston Howse and Emily Craggs.
The first corporate team prize was won by Roots Estate Agency’s Thomas Bailey, Becky Baily and Craig Butcher.
More than £1,000 was raised for the mayor of Thatcham’s two chosen charities, West Berkshire PALS and Sport in Mind.
Mr Lillycrop said: “I was so pleased to be at the starting line for the first Thatcham 10K run.
“This event is a real credit to
Ben Shiffer-Harte and the organising committee, who have gone from concept to delivery in less than a year.
“The response from runners and volunteers has been amazing, and the two charities that I’m supporting this year, PALS West Berks and Sport in Mind, will really benefit from the money raised.
“I’m sure this will be a regular fixture on the calendar in future years.”
Newbury Soup Kitchen benefited from £400 in donations after providing refreshments at the sell-out event.
Donations will be made to the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and Thatcham Angling for accommodating sections of the route.
Town councillor and member of the Thatcham 10k committee Justin Pemberton said: “We were delighted to see the Thatcham 10k take place in the town for the first time thanks to ground-breaking partnerships forged with the town council, our partners, suppliers, sponsors and volunteers.
“The event will hopefully now be embedded within the annual town calendar – given its success and the wealth of experience everybody brought
to the initiative.
“It was a real team effort to deliver this inaugural event and we’ve taken lots of useful learnings from this first year.
“All being well, our ambition is to grow the size of the event to accommodate the level of demand which was evident, as well as to plan further ahead and ensure it becomes even more successful in the future.
“Everybody who played a part in the race should be extremely proud of their efforts.”
More than £1,000 was raised for the mayor of Thatcham’s two chosen charities
West Berkshire PALS and Sport in Mind