We simply could not let Valentine's Day (14 February 2024) pass without reviewing some of the most popular races in and around the runABC South area.

Love Welwyn Garden City 10K isn't just a celebration of the beauty of England's second garden city (pub quiz alert – Letchworth was the first). Love Welwyn Garden City 10K invites runners to celebrate their love of running, preferably with people they love, by taking part in a 10K road race that tradition dictates is always held around Valentine's Day. This year's race was held on Sunday 11 February.

The two-lap course ends with a bonus lap around Stanborough Lake North where the Race HQ is situated. Being predominantly flat, the course reliably produces good times and makes the event ideal for seasoned athletes as well as beginners. This year's winners were Ben Sewell (North Herts Road Runners, 35:10) and Alice Rolfe (Vale of Aylesbury AC, 40:16). ATW Events chip-timed 313 finishers in less than 90 minutes and more than 200 of those broke the hour.

Meanwhile, the 26.2 Road Runners Club went full tilt with their loved-up Valentine's 10K at Chessington School – just down the road from the Chessington World of Adventures Resort theme park and zoo. This race is unapologetically themed around romance with Cupid's bow and arrow and heart logos appearing everywhere – even on the commemorative beer glasses!

It was all about The Stragglers Running Club at Chessington as the winners were club members Rhys Doherty (33:20) and Angharad Daniel (39:36) as the Stragglers won the mob match prize with 60 participants. There were 327 finishers in 1:27:58 and 242 went sub-60 minutes.

Over in Norwich, it was pretty damp underfoot for the annual Norfolk Gazelles Valentine's 10K from Easton College. There was the largest-ever attendance with 894 finishers in 1:28:39 – remarkably consistent with our other two featured 10K races. However, this race was the quickest with City of Norwich athletes taking the first four places and Logan Smith (30:59) equalling the men's course record.

Former European Indoor 1500m silver medallist Holly Archer (Cambridge & Coleridge AC, 34:16) won the women's race with a new course record and a huge 700 athletes beat the hour.

Results of all the weekend events can be found over at the runABC South results page.

Photo (top) courtesy ATW Events and logo (below) courtesy 26.2.Road Runners Club