Over 1,000 entries were received for the Hitchin 10K, incorporating the Hertfordshire County Championships, on Sunday 5 May 2024. The race was promoted in sunny conditions by Burnt Hare, the specialist running and triathlon organisers established in 2016 to bring fantastic events to the market town of Hitchin and the surrounding Hertfordshire countryside.

Hitchin 10K can claim to be the only 10K in the region that starts and finishes in a historic Market Square, giving the race its unique feel of running from a historical setting into the surrounding countryside. The first and last kilometres are on closed roads around the town dating from the 7th Century. The remainder of the course comprises a southerly loop towards the neighbouring Gosmore and Charlton villages.

Ben Hadman (34:20) led North Herts Road Runners to victory in the Hertfordshire County 10K team competition as he secured the individual county gold medal. Ben was followed across the cobbled finish line by Casey Stevenson (Kettering Town Harriers, 35:37) and Isaac Charlton (unattached, 35:46).

The Herts 10K Champs runners-up were Peter Males (Hitchin RC, 37:24) and M50 Peter Harvey (Garden City Runners, 38:38).

First home in the women's race was the county champion Harriet Kealy (Herts Phoenix AC, 37:27) from Hannah Walker (unattached, 39:42) and Herts silver medallist Ashley Johnson (W40 Fairlands Valley Spartans, 40:37). The county bronze medal winner was W40 Martha Hall (Garden City Runners, 41:30).

Sophie Thrussell (41:34) led her North Herts Road Runners team mates to success in the Hertfordshire County 10K team race.

There were 795 finishers in 1:31:56 and 538 of those beat the hour on the predominantly flat course.

The race programme included a well-attended Children's Golden Mile with 116 finishers inside 16 minutes. There were 20 trophies awarded to the fastest boy and girl in 10 age groups from five years to 14 years – runners aged 15 are deemed old enough to contest the main event. Every finisher received a medal and chip timed result.

Results are available via the runABC South race listing here.

Photo from last year and event T-shirts courtesy Burnt Hare on Facebook