Happy (and fast!) times for runners in the Cheshire 10K (Sunday 18 October) as they made the most of the dry weather and traffic-free course in a welcome return to racing at a well organised, safe event that showed it can be done in the midst of a pandemic. Allied to plenty of PB’s and the broad smiles of those taking part at Arley Hall, Cheshire 10K was a rip-roaring success in the toughest of times.

This race is one of the fastest 10Ks in the UK thanks to flat, rural roads around Antrobus that are a dream to run for the club athlete and, in Sunday’s event, GB international Jess Judd was part of a quality field that included Omar Ahmed, Nigel Martin, Chris Parr and James Westlake.  The women's field also included Mollie Williams, Lucy Niemz, Sophie Wood and Kelly Butler who were keen to test themselves on this fast, flat course.  

Organisers RunThrough had to make a course change as per the current restrictions and appreciated everyone’s patience and understanding. They had a thorough and effective set of measures in place that are proven to work and with races being cancelled due to the ever-changing situation, participants were grateful it went ahead.  

Fast footwork from Omar Ahmed of Birchfield Harriers saw him lead the way to a win in 29:24. Chris Parr was second in 29:36 with only one second between him and Alex Brown of Morpeth Harriers who was third in 29:37.

Jess Judd looked in commanding form as she won the women’s race in 32:32. Jip Vastenburg was second in 34:03 and Mollie Williams of Stockport Harriers third in 34:29. 

There were over 800 finishers who enjoyed a morning’s racing and the chance to post a fast time or as one runner neatly summed it up: “Sunday’s are created for PB’s.” 

Image courtesy of Cheshire 10K.