Runners turned up in high-class attire for the second annual Offley Place Posh 5km at the weekend.
More than 80 runners took part in the run around the grounds of Offley Place, between Hitchin and Luton, on Sunday – after a start at the very civil time of 11am.
The two-lap race was blessed with warm sunshine, as well as a jazz pianist – who also ran.
As each competitor finished, they were greeted at the line with a fine posh medal before heading off to enjoy a glass of prosecco and high-tea canapés.
The first lady across the line, in third place overall, was Anna Bruce from Hitchin Running Club. She was closely followed in a sprint finish by Nicola Amos, also of Hitchin Running Club, with Charlotte Gibson repeating her third-place finish from 2017.
The overall race winner was John Cox, of Hitchin Running Club, followed by his co-clubman Andrew Lawther in second. Marc Haglang from Stevenage Striders was the third-fastest man.
Nicola Amos ran the race as part of her training towards the Chester Marathon, which she is taking on in aid of the Neonatal Unit at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital – where she works as an advanced neonatal nurse practitioner.
This will be her first marathon, and she began her preparations some months ago – building up her distances over time. The day before Sunday’s 5km, she ran 21 miles.
She said: “Taking on a marathon is scary stuff, and each long training run is the longest I’ve run each time I do one! But it will all be worth it as the unit does so much good for the local and wider community, to help sick and pre-term babies.”
Nicola’s marathon is now just a month away.
If you’d like to support her fundraising, see justgiving.com/fundraising/nicola-amos2.
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