Charlotte Newton
UP to 2,400 runners laced up their trainers to take part in this year’s charity Crouch End 10km race – despite the heavy rainfall.
A total of 1,000 adults pounded through the mud and rain of the hilly 10km course on Sunday.
The clouds dispersed and the sun came out just in time for the children’s fun run, which up to 1,400 youngsters completed around Priory Park.
Jake Wood, who plays Max Branning in EastEnders, started the adult race while actor Ian Hart, who starred in Ken Loach’s film Land and Freedom, set the children off.
Hayley Ballard, race director of the Hornsey YMCA Crouch End 10km and Fun Run 2009, told the Broadway: “This event seems to get more popular each year. The children’s race filled up three weeks before and the adult’s race reached its capacity two weeks before, which is unheard of.
“It’s become a very important fixture in the calendar. When I had to turn people away they all said how much it meant to them and how disappointed they were.”
Ms Ballard, 43, said that the runners had raised thousands of pounds for four local charities, in spite of the recession.
Beneficiaries of the money raised – which has yet to be counted – include the Hornsey YMCA children’s bursary fund, CARIS Haringey – a charity for homeless families in Haringey – The Bobath Centre, based in Finchley but extends its resources to Haringey children with cerebral palsy, and the Buttercups Nursery and Playgroup which serves underprivileged children in Hornsey.
Mother of three Sarah Swinhoe, 38, won the women’s 10k. Mrs Swinhoe, who lives in Mayfield Road Crouch End and teaches at the Marylebone School in Westminster, said: “I was really, really pleased to win because I’ve been injured since February and had to pull out of the London marathon.
“It was very rainy but I quite like running in the rain. It’s quite a tough course, but now that I’ve finished I can say I enjoyed it.”
Andrew Thornton who owns Thornton’s Budgens in Crouch End Broadway beat his personal best by 50 seconds, finishing in 43 minutes and 47 seconds, and the store won first prize in the “non-affiliated” team category.
Mr Thornton said: “It was a great event as always. It was a bit wet in the morning but it cheered up for the children’s races, which were great.
“I was delighted that we won a team prize for the 40 runners from Budgens.” George Stewart, 40, won the men’s race in 33 minutes 56 seconds. Mr Stewart, who lives in Willesden and teaches in North Wembley, was running on behalf of the London Heathside running and athletics club in Highgate.
He said: “I joined Heathside because I knew they had a very good marathon training group.
“The weather wasn’t great but the course was nice and the crowds were fantastic.”
Teacher Zoe Vail, 26, came third in the women’s race. Ms Vail lives in Battersea but entered the race because her boyfriend’s brother – Daniel Smith – lives in Crouch End.
She said: “It was very windy and wet and much hillier than I expected, but the crowds were really friendly and there was a nice atmosphere. It was definitely worth it.”