First steps are put in motion for this year’s Herts 10K run

Online registration has now opened for this year’s Herts 10K and after two successive sell-out events, keen runners and walkers need to secure their place early.

The popular sponsored event will take place on Sunday, October 12, and is held each year to raise money to support Grove House, part of Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

Grove House events manager, Ruth Barber, said: “Last year 3,000 runners entered the event and with money still coming in, we’ve already raised a record amount of over £125,000.

“This money is enough to fund four nurses for a year, either working to support patients at Grove House or providing specialist 24/7 responsive care for them in their own homes. We are so grateful to our runners and all their sponsors for this fabulous contribution and we’re really hoping that we can raise even more in 2014.”

The Herts 10K is now in its eighth year and is Hertfordshire’s biggest 10K run. It is consistently praised for its fun, friendly atmosphere and excellent organisation, with every runner receiving a medal and healthy competition for the winners’ trophies.

While many runners and walkers do enjoy taking part every year, it is also an ideal event for novices. Ruth explained: “So many people say to us that six months before the event they couldn’t run more than 10 metres but come the day they are eagerly limbering up looking forward to their first 10k race.

“It’s simply a question of starting early, training regularly and building up slowly.”

After the run last year one competitor said: “When I started training for this event I thought it would be tough but compared to what my friend has had to go through battling cancer it was nothing – in fact I’ve had a great time and I’ve achieved something I never thought possible. I can’t wait to be back next year!”

To find out more about the Herts 10K and register go to www.herts10k.com. Entry costs £17 and the event is open to anyone over the age of 12.