The organisers pullet-out all the stops to deliver a successful Pendock Spring Chicken Run (Sunday 26 March). Tricky conditions underfoot made it hard going in sections of the route but everyone mucked in and helped raised funds for the local school.

There was unseasonable weather for this year’s Pendock Spring Chicken Run, turning parts of the course into a muddy challenge – especially on farm tracks and grass. However, the roads provided some relief from the mud!

A sold out 10K, 5K and a 1K Fun Run at this community event where all the proceeds go to Pendock C.E. Primary School. Themed prizes, medals and post-run goodies followed by homemade cakes and food afterwards all combined together to make it an enjoyable affair in spite of the weather.

The ‘poultry in motion’ event began with the 1K Fun Run at 10.30am involving a swift dash down towards School Lane, a short burst over the motorway bridge then a quick scamper towards the school and the finish.

U11 Will Harvey of Bourton Roadrunners was the first boy across the line in 4:02; LU13 Eve Millward of Gloucester AC the first girl in 4:50.

At 11am it was the turn of the 5K and 10K runners. They followed a route consisting of road and off-road with the latter going through private land. A good climb was rewarded with good views over the Malvern Hills then a soft and slippery descent and a switch to the road. They left enough in the tank for the final stretch and a mad dash across the finish line.

Stephen Millward of Gloucester AC won the 5K in 17:59 followed by Robert Niec in 19:49 and Owen Bourne in 20:20.

Quisha Cashmore was the winning female in 23:16 with Forest of Dean AC’s Natalie Norris second in 23:26. Emily Gromski of Worcester AC was third in 24:08.

It was a touch of 'Jurassic Park meets Chicken Run' in the 5K. Katie Smith and Hayley Hutton were fundraising for Maggie’s Centres and completed the distance whilst wearing inflatable dinosaur costumes. The T-rex twosome finished in 1:13:06.

In the 10K it was victory for William Kennedy of Western Tempo RC in 36:27. Luke Jones took second in 37:19 and Paul Childs of Malvern Buzzards RC third in 38:02.

Jennifer Cashmore claimed the women’s title in 43:15. Kim Millward of Gloucester AC finished second female in 45:28 and Carley Merrimen of Tewkesbury RC third female in 48:24. 

View all the results via the runABC Midlands Race Listing page.

Race Director Nigel Tillott thanked all the runners for their efforts; volunteers, local landowners, businesses and groups for their help and support. He saved the final words for the dinosaurs saying “They were epic and laughed all the way round."

A cracking good Chicken Run for all concerned.

Image courtesy of Nigel Tillott.