Alan told us: “My recollection of that debut was the race was held on Easter Monday and it was boiling hot. I did not keep a diary in those days but seem to recall that around 68 minutes saw me at the back of the small field of around 100 runners and failed to impress my team mates”.

Times have certainly changed and these days Maidenhead Easter 10 is a vital fund raiser for good causes and typically attracts more than 1,000 runners, plus the occasional rhino. Prime Minister, Theresa May has supported her local constituency charity race for many years and is pictured above in marshal mode, posing for selfies with runners.

The organising club, Maidenhead AC, was founded in 1884 and is one of the oldest in Britain. All that experience is poured into the management of their flagship event and it shows, with an attractive 10-mile route on country lanes and cycle tracks, designed by runners for runners.

The 2018 winners were Daniel Wallis (Belgrave Harriers, 50:37) and Melanie Wilkins (Winchester, 57:52) as an impressive 200 runners ran faster than our contributor did around 40 years ago! Kent AC won the men's team prize and Sandhurst Joggers took the ladies awards in an extensive prize list that extended to W70 and M80 masters.

The current race format includes 800m and Mile races for children and the new race sponsor for 2019 is The Northview Group based at Maidenhead Office Park.

Race entry is now available from a bargain £20/£22 with a minimum age of 18 years for the main event. Young striders can stretch their legs over 800m or 1600m for just £6 and parents can accompany their offspring without entering.

Full details at the Maidenhead Easter 10 website here

Images courtesy Maidenhead Easter 10