Local Leicestershire running group Poplar Running Club were out in full force last Sunday (25 June) to support their local rivals' flagship event, the Prestwold 10K and judging by the smiling faces above, they loved every minute of it.

Prestwold 10K is a Leicestershire Road Running League (LRRL) race and is famous for its quick times. Hosted by Barrow Runners, the event fits nicely into the LRRL calendar with races ranging in distance from 5, 6, 7, 8 miles to 10Ks and a half marathon.

It was hot hot hot and conditions led one Poplar Runner to describe the event as a 'tough day at the office'. Tough though it may have been, there was a stunning performance from Mo Hussein (Roadhoggs) who recorded 32:39 and finished more than a minute faster than Tom Mahon (Wreake & Soar Valley) with a time of 33:50. Luke Ingram (OWLS) was third in 34:11.

In the women's race it was a win for Emily Smith (Charnwood AC) in a time of 37:16. The host club grabbed a podium place with Laura Whittle (Barrow Runners) second in 38:28. Joanna Male (West End Runners) was third recording a time of 39:25.

And what of those Poplar Runners? Well, leading man was Lee O'Connor in a time of 35:33 with Kirsty Dale the leading woman in 39:39.

The very warm conditions clearly led to quite a number of DNSs as there were 589 finishers in a time of 1:33:01 but it's clear from the cameraderie amongst all the local clubs that the Leicestershire running scene is in rude health.

Full results can be found via the runABC Midlands race listing page.

Image courtesy of Poplar Runners on Facebook.