Priory 10k is much missed this year, but aims to return in 2022
The first Sunday of February. Always cold, often bright. A day when we should all have been at the Goodwood motor circuit – not to watch cars racing, but people.
It’s the traditional date for the Chichester Priory 10k, a race that has become wellestablised in the local and regional sporting calendar and has drawn many top names to the city.
Not this year, though.
The 10k was called off some time ago because of Covid lockdown restrictions, and attention is now on hoping next year’s will be run at the normal time with proper numbers.
Graham Jessop, director a race that was launched 30 years ago this year, said: “It seems so strange to that the first Sunday in February has gone without a Chichester Priory 10k to report on.
“The pandemic has played havoc with the road running calendar.
“Usually this edition of the Observer would be packed with pictures, results and reports on different runners’ achievements, but all we have this year are great memories from past races.
“We hope that by February 2022 there will be a return to some kind of normality and mass participation events again will be permitted.
“The organisers, the Rotary Club of Chichester Priory, took the decision in August that because of Covid and social distancing requirements and advice, we were unable to plan an event in February 2021 which would be safe for runners, spectators and helpers.
“At the time some eyebrows were raised as to the decision being a little premature but our caution proved correct.
“The organisers were devastated at the time but subsequently relieved that a significant amount of time and effort was not wasted in planning the event and having to pull the plug at the last minute.
“Now we’ll carefully follow the progress of the pandemic and review the situation as and when things improve.
“Future plans will be announced in the Observer and Sunday, February 6, 2022 has been pencilled in.”
Meantime, enjoy our spread of pictures from past Priory 10ks down the years.
And you can see more past pictures at chichester.co.uk
■ Charities will lose out through the lack of a Chichester Priory 10k.
But some of the management team are doing their bit to make up for that.
Some of the proceeds from the Chichester Priory 10k go to good causes and for the past four years the Rotary Club of Chichester Priory – who organise the annual race – have supported the Chestnut Tree Hospice, which provides hospice care and family support for children with life limiting illnesses throughout Sussex and south-east Hampshire.
This year with the cancellation of the 10k because of the pandemic, some of the 10k management team have signed up for the CTH Nurses 10,000 Steps Challenge.
Seven members will be collecting sponsorship by walking 10,000 steps everyday throughout February.
So far the team has been promised £1300 in donations, which is great news for the charity.
If anyone would like to make a donation please do so via