Report by Bronwyn Preece.On a drizzly and overcast Sunday 8th August 2021, 16 Croft runners took part in Tenbury Wells’ Annual 10k event. Of course, due to the Covid pandemic, this event was cancelled last year. The race, which started at 11am at the Burgage Recreation Ground in the centre of Tenbury, took all 209 runners, of all abilities, through the town centre before making their way up the slight incline along Berrington Road and into a lovely, rural setting. After one more hilly section, there was an out and back to Frank P Matthews Tree Shop which then led into a relatively flat run to St Michaels, home of the Tenbury St Michaels & All Angels Church. After coming to the church, the runners would then turn left and head down the A4112 onto the long, flat common; ideal for making up time lost on the hills back down Berrington Road at the start of the race. Going past The Fountain Inn, runners then turned right onto Saltbox Lane and then straight onto Terrills Lane which would begin the decline back into Tenbury itself. With one last sprint through the town, the runners passed Tenbury Swimming Pool before finishing back at the Burgage Recreation Ground where water, medals and t-shirts were available for the runners to collect. (Or gin, if preferred.)Jasper Robinson was the first Croftie home with a chip time of 39:21 and an overall finish of 7th. Not far behind was Alice Godding (40:43). Not only was Alice the first Croft female to cross the line, she was the first female overall! Just over ten seconds behind Alice came Hannah Fletcher (40:58). Other Croft members that took part in the Tenbury 10k were Roland Preece (47:20), Ashley Robinson (48:07), Jo Tilby (49:01), Steve Davies (49:37), Thea Preece (49:37), Steph Main (52:39), Bronwyn Preece (me!) (54:30), Louise Reeves (56:57), Steph King (57:56), Lisa Gray (58:37), Kerry Martin (59:37), Hayley Colebatch (1:03:53) and Clare Preece (1:06:15). Also, despite the hilly nature of the route, a number of PBs were recorded – including a 5k (which I’ve since beaten) and 10K for myself. So congratulations to everyone who managed a new personal record and congratulations to everyone who took part! It was an enjoyable run which I’m sure I, amongst others, will be keen to take part in again in the future!
