Wet weather, a hill and sausages for tea heralded the start of the Tempo 10K Winter Series 2022-2023 with 250 runners taking part in Race 1 (Sunday 23 October). There are five races in the series and participants have to complete all of them to get their hands on the much sought after hoody.    

The 10K Winter Series is a well organised affair from Tempo Events, beginning in October and ending in February. It gives runners something to aim for – there are prizes on the day and a memento at the end of the five races all in a friendly, competitive environment. Oh, and don't forget the sausages!

The hoody is always a talking point in the series with frequent discussions about the choice of colour for that season. It’s a popular item which is perfect when the weather turns colder hence runners are keen to get theor hands on one which acts as a goal throughout the series.

Overcast skies and rain formed a backdrop to Race 1 where runners completed 10K in a clockwise direction near the village of Ilmington in Warwickshire close to the picturesque Cotswolds. They faced a climb up Lark Stoke that was followed by a descent into Ilmington and onto the finish by the Sports Club. 

Matt Burdus-Cook of Stratford AC was the winner in 36:52 with Andy Lawrence second in 37:36. Hussain Al-Zubaidi was third in 37:59. 

There was another win for Stratford AC with Maisie-Joy Spriggs the women’s winner in 43:12. Samantha Fowle of Kenilworth Runners was second in 45:57 and Kelsey Wiberley of Spa Striders third in 46:12. 

View all the results via the runABC Midlands Race Listings page.                  

Race 2 in the series is on Sunday 20 November. See the Tempo Events website for more details and how to enter.

Photo by Barry Cornelius.