Thousands of runners pounded the fields and pathways around Harpenden’s Rothamsted Research Centre for the ninth annual Herts 10K on Sunday.

It is hoped this year’s event will raise £150,000 for Rennie Grove Hospice Care, which would take the total raised from the annual race since it started in 2006 to £1m.

The winner for the third year running was Michal Glowacki who completed the 10K mixed terrain course in 33 minutes 53 seconds.

Harpenden Arrows were delighted to have one of their club members, Warrick Raath, on the podium for the first time. Warrick, from Harpenden, finished in third place, a fantastic achievement considering this was only his second 10k race.

Ellie Sherrard-Smith was the first woman home finishing in 37 minutes 57 seconds. Last year’s winner Becca Hayden took second place with another regular Herts 10K runner Wendy Walsh, who lives in St Albans, coming in third.

St Albans Mayor Cllr Geoff Harrison, who started the race, said: “It was brilliant that so many people took part in the race, both walking and running. There were loads of enthusiastic supporters to cheer the participants on and it was lovely to see so many happy faces. I want to congratulate the organisers for a marvellous event and thank everyone who helped raise so much for Rennie Grove Hospice Care.”

As well as the serious runners there were lots of people taking part for fun, including a team from Understanding Recruitment in St Albans who completed the course wearing purple tutus.

Rennie Grove events manager Ruth Proudfoot said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in this year’s Herts 10K as well as all of the volunteers who helped on the day. This is a fantastic event that helps raise a phenomenal amount of money which really helps make a difference to people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses in the local area.

“We are also grateful to have so much support from local businesses both from companies such as Harpenden Building Society, JAW Construction and The Maltings that sponsor the event and those that enter teams.”

Amongst the runners taking part were the Walker family. Dad Jason ran the race last year and he returned in 2014 with his children Cai, 12, and Ash, 14. The children have raised £70 in sponsorship.

Jason said: “The children had a fantastic time and were taken back by the scale of the event. We started going out jogging a few months back and the event has been a great motivator for the children.”

For many runners the Herts 10K was their first competitive run. Among them was runner Meg Bellingham from St Albans who was running on her birthday.

Jo Page from St Albans, who took up running last October after seeing friends take part in the event said: “This is the first time I’ve done a 10K race, I ran the St Albans half marathon earlier in the year but this was so much more enjoyable from now on I’m sticking to 10K runs.”

The winners’ trophies were presented by the Mayor of St Albans and the new chief executive of Levy Associates, Matt Murphy. Levy Associates is the founding sponsor of the event and Matt has pledged to continue supporting the event in future years.

The Herts 10K team continued the tradition of rewarding the last entrants home, walkers Sylvia Brown from Berkhamstead and Patricia Wilson from St Albans. The pair were presented with flowers by Paul Marsden, chief executive of Harpenden Building Society.

All the money raised will help support people in the local area through a range of services provided by the charity either at Grove House or in patients’ homes.

For runners who missed out on a place or are inspired to take part next year registration for the 10th Annual Herts 10K will open shortly.

RESULTS

Men

Michal Glowacki, St Albans, 33:53

James Samson, Bracknell, 34:44

Warrick Raath, Harpenden, 35:40

Women

Ellie Sherrard-Smith, Muswell Hill, 37:57

Becca Hayden, Welwyn Garden City, 38:58

Wendy Walsh, St Albans, 40:52