The Hitchin 10k might not carry the same gravitas as the London Marathon but delighted runners still flocked to the north Herts town.

The course, starting from the market square and going to Charlton before returning via Gosmore, attracted more than 600. 

Oliver Warburton of Royston Runners was first over the line in 33 minutes 14 seconds, followed by Andy Patterson of Fairlands Valley Spartans in 34:27 and Lizzie James, who shattered the female course record to clock 34:45 and take third on the overall podium.

Patterson was one of 13 Spartans to take part.

Ashley Johnson was the first FVS female with her terrific PB of 41:59 earning her second in the women's race.

Dan Hukin (38:05), Danny Scanlon (41:05), Adrian Donnelly (42:22), David Kennedy (50:14), Andy Jay (52:23), Nikki Wilby (52:09), Jim Brown (56:06), Michael O'Keefe (1:00:06), Penny Schenkel (1:00:27), Jane Wadey (1:05:40) and Judy King (1:15:36) completed the FVS contingent.

The Comet: North Herts Road Runners at the Hitchin 10k. Picture: NHRRNorth Herts Road Runners at the Hitchin 10k. Picture: NHRR (Image: North Herts Road Runners)

North Herts Road Runners had 26 running with Kris Whitmore the first of them across the line.

He clocked 38:11 and was followed by Astrid Mckeown, the first female Squirrel home for in 43:32, and Richard Baker, who managed a PB of 45:07.

Oliver Babik (39:15), James Dalton (40:55), Dave Edwards (42:01), Mike Philips (43:02), James Godfrey (43:17), Stuart Cocks (44:17), Paul Holm (44:54), David Weston (46:10), Elwyn Howell (47:53), Mark Seddon (47:56), Laura Fairbanks (48:06), James Poulton (48:39), Shaun Allin (53:37), Nicola Withington (58:16), Andrea Weisl-Shaw (59:03), Jenna Manggos (59:52), Lucy Hurley (1:01:25), Ian Sutcliffe (1:01:39), Georgie Barker (1:01:11), Aimee Flack (1:04:34), Allison Blunt (1:08:13) and Vanessa Rolfe (1:16:53) were the others from NHRR, the latter delighted with her run as it was the first since 2021 due to injury.

The Comet: Three Stevenage Striders at the Hitchin 10k. Picture: STEVENAGE STRIDERSThree Stevenage Striders at the Hitchin 10k. Picture: STEVENAGE STRIDERS (Image: Stevenage Striders)

Half of the Stevenage Striders running set PBs.

Danny Alden was one of them as well as the first from the club to finish in a time of 44:22.

Steve Dennis (45:52) and Neil Walsh (48:35) also set new bests for the distance while Jonathan Renney (45:17), Scott Stamper (51:39) and Stacie Whitelaw (1:10:03) were the others involved wearing the diamond vest.

Stevenage Phoenix had three at Hitchin

First home was Russ Wingfield in 45:30, setting a new club record in his age category, while behind him was Ken Hall in 52:09, a new club record for those aged 70-plus.

Ashley Bates (52:58) was the other.

Emma Mead and Gemma Smith flew the Phoenix flag at the Kimpton 10k, Smith completing her fastest 10k to date in 59:10.