THE ninth Wheathampstead 10K saw record numbers of runners take part. This year s huge turnout has raised money to go towards renovating the library and creating a new learning area at Beech Hyde Primary School.

THE ninth Wheathampstead 10K saw record numbers of runners take part.

This year's huge turnout has raised money to go towards renovating the library and creating a new learning area at Beech Hyde Primary School.

More than 730 children and adults took part in the 2K Fun Run. Tom Stead from Alban School, Great Barford, won the event for the third year in a row, with a time of 7 minutes 40 seconds. Race Coordinator, Julia Verney, said: "Watching all those children surge off is truly an emotional experience. The effort and determination they put in is so huge it is impossible not to be uplifted."

First girl across the line was the talented Sophie West from Sir John Lawes School in a time of 09.08.

So popular has the 10K become that this year saw runners turn up in greater numbers than ever before.

Recent work on the footpaths in the area provided the fastest course to date, and so Mark Dickinson of Garden City Runners broke the course record in 33.48, over a minute faster than second-placed Matt Robbins, also of Garden City Runners. Fastest woman was Natasha Pitman, North Herts Road Runners, finishing in 40.30 just beating her team mate Melissa Winters (40.40).

After the event Delia Bonner, headmistress at Beech Hyde Primary School, said: "Every year this race becomes more and more popular amongst runners of all standards and we are prouder than ever of what the 10K has achieved for this school. It is a testament to the commitment of parents and children that a school can put on an event that draws people in from well beyond the village boundaries.