It was wet, windy and pretty wild for Active Training World's annual St Albans Summer 10K on Sunday, 20 July 2025. The conditions failed to dampen the spirits of the 457 finishers in 1:35:30 or the army of volunteers who stood out in the rain to facilitate the event.

The day started with a free Family Fun Run for all ages. The children were free to play in the 'kids zone' after the Fun Run finished. The buzzing Event Village featured the Cow Juice Cafe and live music.

The single-lap course starts and finishes in Highfield Park and uses the flat and tree-lined disused Great Northern Railway line called the Alban Way towards Hatfield before a loop via Sleapshyde, returning along the Alban Way. The route is mainly on tarmac, with a grass finish field, and most of the course is traffic-free.

Ben Sewell, of North Herts Road Runners, set the pace to win by around 30 seconds in 34:44. M45 Patrick Hayes (St Albans Striders, 35:14) was the runner-up, and Maksim Kulichenko (unattached, 35:38) completed the men's podium in fourth overall. 

Kulichenko was narrowly beaten in a sprint finish by the women's champion, Freya Weddell (St Albans Striders) who was awarded the same 35:38 finishing time! Emma Cowper (Bishop's Stortford RC, 40:06) and W40 Rebecca Fawcett (Dacorum & Tring AC, 42:49) rounded out the top three women.

Just over 300 runners beat the hour on this PB-friendly course. The race day atmosphere is illustrated in this short video...

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

Photo courtesy of Active Training World St Albans Summer 10K website