Records broken at annual Abington Festival of Running event

The Abington Festival of Running took place on its traditional slot on the first Sunday of October earlier this month.

The event, which has been held for the last 15 years, attracted more than 500 entrants to the 10k, 5k and 2k races.

The 5k and 10k are designated as official UK Athletics Road Races and take place on a fast and flat closed road course.

The course makes for speedy times and this year saw the 10k male course record broken for the second year in a row, with Ben Jones winning in a time of 32 minutes and 22 seconds.

He edged out last year’s winner and the previous course record holder, Sullivan Smith, by 36 seconds.

In the women’s 10k, Rebecca White triumphed in a time of 40 minutes and 43 seconds. In a run that further underlined the fast nature of the course, Clare Thurgood smashed the course record for the 5k by more two minutes, coming home in a time of 17 minutes and 52 seconds.

Mark Carter, race director, said: “We were delighted with the festival this year. The course is flat and fast as evidenced by the incredibly quick times and the fact that the many club runners who attend the event say it is one of their favourite races on the calendar.

“But as much as the course is super-fast one, what makes the Festival really stand out is the brilliant atmosphere. We welcome runners of all abilities, including many who were taking part in their first 10km or 5km race.”

Entries are now open for the 2024 Festival on Sunday, October 6 via www.abington10k.com