As the festive season arrives so do plenty of charity fun runs across St Albans and the surrounding areas all putting in the miles for brilliant causes. Our reporter Huw Richards laced up his trainers for a trip to Flamstead attempting the village's annual 5K race.
On December 14, more than 120 runners and walkers - not including dogs -flocked down to Flamstead for 2025's fun run.
I joined this year's action by donating to the Wish Tree Charity - one that is very important to the community. Beginning in 2008 with the primary aim to support Flamstead residents, the charity's vital work supports both individuals and families to try and gain a sense of normality in difficult circumstances.
Throughout the year's The Wish Tree has helped many facing serious illness, injury, major surgery or bereavement. The fun run is just one of several fundraisers it hosts.
2025 saw a bumper turnout of participants all decked head to toe in Christmassy gear, from pyjamas to Santa Claus' abdominals (they are real).
We all began with a warmup led by charity ambassador, Henry Biggs, the local bootcamp host, Mark McGreevy, and his popular pooch, Paddy.
With pulses raised and Strava loaded we approached the start line of the locally infamous, "Flamstead Triangle". A nice circular route, it takes you up and down the country lanes surrounding the village - something I did not plan for with my race day trainers.
Already coming to terms with washing my New Balance later, I set off in tandem with all the charity runners as those not taking part watched on and supported.
For four laps of the Flamstead Triangle everyone enjoyed a sense of community spirit, pushing each other to succeed and keep going even when you reached the hilly parts.
I was profoundly impressed by an individual dressed as a T-Rex, a kid who came as a blow up turkey and a man adorning an incredibly tight Santa outfit - this left little to the imagination.
The poor T-Rex was flapping around in the wind and picking up more mud than all of us combined - yet still clocked a good time.
At every turn were committed volunteers providing you with a boost of morale. There were a pair on the first corner making light of my Santa Claus jumper suggesting "I need to go to the gym more often".
With the dreaded realisation I had not in fact won, I still crossed the line with a smile enjoying a lovely crisp morning 5K. The stars of the show were:
- Winner of the men's category - Tom Short - at 18 minutes and 2 seconds.
- Winner of the women's category Emily Hickey-Baird - at 19 minutes and 59 seconds.
- Winner of the under 16's category - Emily Carter at 21 - minutes and 20 seconds.
- Winner of the under 11's category - Seb Hobson - he was only eight years of age!
After the final finishers crossed the line everyone congregated for some food and to announce the winners of the raffle - not me I might add.
At last year's inaugural Fun Run, The Wish Tree raised more than £950, but this year the team have managed to raise even more, a magnificent £1,750 through ticket sales, raffle sales, entries to the "Chairman's Challenge", food donations and other generous donations.
Harpenden Medical and High Elms also sponsored the event and Aylett Nurseries donated mini Christmas trees for the winners.
Overall, it was a fantastic community event with a lovely tight-knit village all spurring everyone on. A special shoutout to the volunteers on the day and all those who served me a well-deserved bacon roll and mulled wine to cap off the morning.
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