Colloquially known as Vicky Park – or the People's Park – London's Victoria Park in Tower Hamlets is one of the most visited green spaces in the capital with an estimated nine million visitors each year. And we can add another 635 to that total after the 20th anniversary Pride Run on Saturday 16th September saw that number complete the 10K course in 1:41:56.

London's Pride Run 10K is a not-for-profit run organised every year by a group of volunteers from London Frontrunners, an inclusive running club for lesbians, gay and bisexual men and women, transgender and gay-friendly people.

As if to celebrate the special anniversary the top three finishers were all from the host club. First across the finish line after three circuits of Vicky Park was Cameron Hutton (34:13) followed by Tom Watson (34:36 PB) and Alex Turner (35:49) for an exclusively London Frontrunners podium.

The flat course can produce fast times and the first two women were among the 32 finishers who beat 40 minutes. Trent Park Running Club members Jen Baird (W40, 39:26) and Alex Baird (W40, 39:46) led the way with Robyn Lumas (Brighton & Hove Frontrunners, 40:28) narrowly missing the 40-minute mark in third place with a big PB by 90 seconds.

With the racing done, it was time to get on with the serious business of socialising at the legendary Pride Run Afterparty at The People's Tavern on Victoria Park Road, where the ravages of inflation have been pegged back and a pre-ordered ticket for a drink, burger, and chips cost participants just £16, compared with £15 last year!

In fact, this is such a significant part of the day we noticed a typo on London Frontrunners' Pride Run 10K Facebook: "And we’re off! Cheering all of our fabulous runners today taking party in the 20th Pride Run 10K! See you at the finish line." You can tell what the writer of that post was looking forward to!

Pride Run 10K supports Micro Rainbow International Foundation as their selected charity partner. Micro Rainbow International Foundation works globally to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people achieve their full potential in life and have equal access to employment, training, education, financial services, healthcare, housing, places of faith, public places, and services.

Full results and previous reports are at the runABC South race listing here.

Image courtesy London Frontrunners/Pride Run 10K on Facebook