SKY Sports presenter Geoff Shreeves put his money where his mouth is when he set off the runners taking part in the annual Herts 10k in aid of Grove House on Sunday.

For after starting the race from Rothamsted in Harpenden, Geoff joined family and friends to take part in it – and completed the course in under an hour.

Undeterred, he then returned to the stage to present the winners and runners-up with their trophies.

In addition he nabbed such star names as Alan Shearer, Phil and Gary Neville, David Platt, Sam Allardyce and even Sir Alex Ferguson to sponsor him and to date has raised over �5,000.

Geoff said: “Having heard so much about the Herts 10K it was great to actually be there and to have the honour of starting the race. It was a great atmosphere and a great day. I really enjoyed taking part in the run with so many people from the local community.

“It’s a fantastic event and I would encourage anyone who is even just thinking of taking part in the run to sign up for next year.”

The 2010 winner was Marcin Fudalej who set a new course record of 32.56 minutes and the winner of the women’s race was Claire Miles who had travelled especially from university in Birmingham to take part.

The winners were personally presented with their medals at the finish line by Saracens rugby players George Kruis and Jake Sharp.

Away from the more serious side of the race, among the runners taking part were Elvis and The Stig!

St Albans businessman Lawrence Levy who founded the race and is the main sponsor said: “Year after year this event gets better and better. It’s great to see familiar faces as well as new ones. It goes to show people will come out in force from the local community to support their local hospice.”

All pictures by Simon Jacobs