LBTV A Force for the community…
Emdad Rahman
A day after the return of Parkrun UK, London saw runners return to the streets to take part in the largest closed road celebration of running since March 2020.
14,000 registered runners pounded the roads of Westminster to see in the return of the ASICS London 10K, produced by Limelight Sports Club, with participants contributing to a global study into the effect of movement on mental wellbeing and the power of running to uplift London through the ASICS Mind Uplifter™ Tool to help move minds and Uplift London.
To ensure the event was Covid secure the organisers had spent six months working closely with Public Health England and Westminster Council.
Many Central London roads were closed as runners participated in the first mass 10K run since Coronavirus restrictions were lifted.
Runners representing over 200 charities swept past historical landmarks and iconic sights such as the London Eye, Trafalgar Square and Big Ben as live entertainers performed and spectators cheered on.
TV presenter Katie Piper, victim of an acid attack in 2008, started the race. Andrew Heyes won the male race with a time of 29 minutes and 25 seconds, whilst Natasha Cockram triumphed in the female run in 33 minutes and 37 seconds. With a time of 40 minutes and 42 seconds Bethany Evans crossed the line first in the wheelchair event.
The ASICS London 10K is billed as the summer’s greatest celebration of running in central London.
Race director Ian Allerton described the momentous occasion as “an important day for the mass participation industry” and what he hoped would be the start of “a new season of safe running events in 2021.”
Entries for 2022 are now OPEN!
