Rosie Hamilton-James, of Westbury Harriers, finally claimed the women's course record at the Chew Valley 10K as a gloomy weather forecast gave way to bright sunshine for the 12th edition of this Somerset classic on Sunday 9 June.  

Just over 600 lined up outside Race HQ at Bishop Sutton Village Hall and four-times Iron Man World Champion Chrissie Wellington OBE was there to start the race and cheer on the runners as they set off to tackle 'The Hill' to Hinton Blewitt village and on towards East Haptree in the shadow of the Mendips. 

Brock & Houlford Expert Eyecare and Winford Ford sponsored this year's race and funds were raised for local schools Bishop Sutton Primary and Chew Valley, along with two charities, Black2Nature and Blood Bikes NICU Support. 

There were early signs that something special was happening when Reading AC’s Rohan Brooks sprinted home in 33:41, close to the 2014 course record of 33:05. Brooks – wearing Nike shoes – was followed by Jack Chitty (Royal Navy AC, 33:52) and the four-times previous champion and Bishop Sutton resident David Eagon (Bristol & West, 35:27). 

Barely a minute passed before Rosie Hamilton-James arrived to retain her title with a new women’s course record of 36:30, having taken 70 seconds off her 2023 winning time of 37:40 and almost a minute faster than the 2014 women's record of 37:28. The female runners-up were W45 Caroline McAleese (Vegan Runners UK, 38:47) and Emily Hathaway (Birmingham University, 38:52).

Rosie's 17-year-old sister Steph Hamilton-James led the female juniors category with 42:28 and the fastest male junior was Max Booth in 39:19.

Bishop Sutton Primary headteacher Dieter Cook and his pupils urged the runners on with their superb African drums, a much-loved Chew Valley 10k tradition. Everyone appreciated the Pre-School teas and cakes and fitness coach Ross Elliott led the group warm-up (pictured).

Denise Mellersh, Race Director, Chew Valley 10k commented: “Our fantastic community gets behind this event year in, year out. Their support for us as organisers, and also for the runners, is hugely appreciated. Thanks also to all the local businesses that play a part or sponsor us.”

Results and previous reports are available via the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy Emma Robinson for Chew Valley 10K