Runners from Hertfordshire laced up their running shoes for the inaugural Welwyn 10k to take place at Panshanger Park.
The event, organised by Garden City Runners (GCR), took place on Sunday 25 June, with almost 500 runners completing the course.
The race was started by ex-international athlete Cllr Annie Brewster, current board member of Herts Sports Partnership who has just finished her term as Chairperson of Hertfordshire County Council.
The single-lap course took participants along a brand-new route through Panshanger Park’s beautiful and historic sights, situated between Hertford and Welwyn, Hertfordshire.
Among the sights were the stunning woodlands – polar grove, brocket hill, chisel shelf and garden wood – the orangery, the great oak tree, the River Mimram and the new Queen’s Wood.
Runners aged four-to-14 had to opportunity to join the 2k family fun run event with special guests Tara and Mac, mascots for Tarmac – landowners of Panshanger Park and sponsors of the Welwyn 10k.
Barbara Kubis-Labiak, Garden City Runners race director, said: “The club is fortunate to have had so many volunteers, runners and walkers turn out to support the event, with friends and families.
“I hope this becomes an annual event at Panshanger Park and am already looking forward to next year.”
Garden City Runners chairperson, Jane Molloy, added: “I could not have been any prouder of GCR today and the teamwork that made our Welwyn 10k such a successful and joyful event.
“The club is very grateful to our new hosts, Tarmac, who were fantastic partners from the outset, in particular for granting permission to use the park and their sponsorship of the wooden medals.
“It has been lovely to hear so many positive comments about how much people enjoyed the day.”
Cllr Annie Brewster added, “It is hard to imagine a more beautiful course than the stunning Grade II* Humphry Repton landscaped Panshanger Park, with runners passing the wonderful lake and the Panshanger Oak believed to have been planted by Queen Elizabeth I. Enormous thanks to Tarmac for hosting this fabulous event and congratulations to Garden City Runners and to all the runners who were not at all deterred by the heat!”
Michael Charton, estates manager for Tarmac and race participant, said: “We are delighted to have been able to welcome the Welwyn 10k to Panshanger Park. The event has been a great success, with an amazing atmosphere. For me, personally, it was great to take part in the race and get the opportunity to see the park from a different perspective.”
“We hope to partner with Garden City Runners to host the event again next year.”
The event was being sponsored by Tarmac, HRJ Foreman Laws and Croudace Homes, with proceeds being donated to the Welwyn Festival charities – a number of local charities that provide support in the Welwyn area and wider Hertfordshire.
If you are interested in finding out more about Garden City Runners, please click here.
