From the free Family Fun Run to the free post-race photos (via free massages and a fun warm-up with the Circuit Society) there was plenty of added value at the Active Training World's St Albans Summer 10K on Sunday 21 July 2024.

St Albans Striders club stalwart Stefano Federici notched up another home race win and Inga Cobb spearheaded Harpenden Arrows' challenge in the women's race.

This annual summer sizzler was held on another hot day as 468 finished in 1:22:14, with the shaded parts of the Alban Way cycle path appreciated by everyone. The Alban Way follows the former Great Northern Railway line – discontinued and dismantled in 1969 after more than 100 years of service between St Albans and Hatfield.

Pacers, live music, the kids' play zone, the ice cream van, and Cow Juice Cafe all add to the big race atmosphere in Highfield Park, where the Event Village is based. The single-lap course starts and finishes in Highfield Park and runs along the flat, tree-lined Alban Way towards Hatfield before a loop via Sleapshyde and returning along Alban Way. The route is on tarmac, with a grass finish field, and most of the course is traffic-free.

Stefano Federici (34:17) – the 2022 champion – powered clear of St Albans Striders club colleague James Bryden (35:59) and Steven Dowse (Skegness & District AC, 36:23) in the men's race.

Inga Cobb (37:28) was similarly dominant in the women's race as Alex Richer (Horsham Blue Star Harriers, 38:18) and Amy Clark (Optimal Endurance, 39:36) completed the rostrum.

There were 30 athletes inside 40 minutes and more than 150 beat the 50-minute barrier.

Next year's race is already being advertised and will be held on Sunday 20 July 2025 – click here for more information.

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

Photo of Harpenden Arrows runners courtesy of Active Training World on Facebook