Runners Earn Their Wings
RAF Museum at former Hendon Base saw 215 take flight in Spitfire 10K…
There were 215 runners demonstrating their best aeroplane wings finish at the London Spitfire 10K on Sunday 17 September 2023, held to commemorate the 83rd anniversary of Battle of Britain Day.
The fifth edition of this race was hosted by Nice Work Race Management at the historic RAF Museum in North London's Borough of Barnet. The RAF Museum offers a fun, entertaining day out for all the family and entry is free.
Competitors were encouraged to carry Roll of Honour cards with the name of a Battle of Britain serviceman with them on the run. The Roll of Honour cards are sent out with race packs to give participants the opportunity to research the life of ‘their’ pilot and to keep their memory alive by sharing their stories with family and friends or on social media.
Every runner who honours those who defended the skies during the Battle of Britain by raising funds for the RAF Museum and reaches their pledge to donate £100 receives a free technical t-shirt and a goody bag.
The unique course takes runners around the edge of the historic London Aerodrome that once existed in Colindale. The race starts on the RAF Museum green space, around the ‘taxiway’ that evokes the historic RAF Hendon Base, then past the Spitfire Gate Guardian. After two laps the runners return through Hangar 1 and right under the beautiful Short Sunderland Flying boat, before crossing the finish line.
The top flyers at this year's London Spitfire 10K and first to receive their coveted and sustainable wood Spitfire medals were experienced pilots Thomas Grimes (M40 Orion Harriers, 36:47), Patrick Hayes (M40 St Albans Striders, 38:23) and Nick O'Hora (M50 London Heathside, 38:36).
Defending champion and course record holder Kat Alpe (W35 Metropolitan Police AC, 40:18) reclaimed her title but was 30 seconds outside her 2022 mark of 39:48). Kat finished seventh overall and was joined by Simona Cristea (W35 Sudbury Court RC, 45:48) and Katherine Richmond (W50 unattached, 46:17) on the podium.
Results and previous reports are available at runABC South's race listing here.
Image courtesy Nice Work on Facebook
