50th Event 1 - 10k Race and Fun Run

We kicked off our year of celebration with the first event last weekend, a 10k race and 3k fun run. The sun (eventually) shone across the events village as volunteers, spectators, and runners arrived at the Bedford Autodrome on Sunday morning.

With the first race, the casual 3k, gearing up to start at 10am, runners dropped off their bags and padded up to the starting line. After a quick race briefing, Matt from MDC Events started the run! The runners took off down the track, rounding the corner, and only stopping for a quick sip of water half-way!

We had runners, walkers, and a couple of slow coaches at the back from Herdy’s Heard.., but the first runner to cross the line was Joseph from Team Bex! Joseph finished the race in under 12 minutes!

Meanwhile… the 10k runners started to arrive.

After signing in and pinning on their numbers, the pro’s made their way to the starting line. Team Bex member and professional runner herself, Vicki Hartfree, led a fun group warm up to prepare everyone for the big race. Once everyone was limbered up and in position, Matt stepped up again and counted down to start the race!

Making their way over the start line, our runners began the route to victory! Some gently increased in speed, whilst others left us standing in the dust. The runners fought the blustering winds on the far side of the track, passing the 2 kilometer marker before grabbing a drink and carrying on! Rounding up to the 5km marker at the start line, off they went again for lap 2. Then suddenly, as they came into view with just 1k to go, the runners turned up the heat and put in a final sprint to make it over the finish line!

Participants were greeted at the finish line by our team of photographers who caught their elated, and tired, faces as they strode to the end! Medals were handed out and the runners were led back to our bustling events village for a well-earned pizza, hog roast, or alcoholic beverage to celebrate (or commiserate)! 

Deputy Managing Director Adam Knaggs, a little puffed out from his run, got up on stage and declared the winners! Our 10k male winner was David Hudson, with Christopher Cooke coming a close second and Simon Bowman taking third! Meanwhile, Emma Pinny took the title for the females, with Dana Shiner coming second and Ellie Sherriffs striding to third place. Congratulations to all our runners! We also had some lucky spot prize winners who nabbed themselves an iphone, Bedford Blues tickets, a firepit, and a coffee machine!

Adam then thanked our incredible team of volunteers from Team Bex, the Police Cadets, and employees from SDC before the crowd dispersed and we packed away our first event.

If you had a good day (we definitely did!), then join us again for an action-packed family orientated obstacle course at Carver Barracks on the 7th November! Sign up at www.sdc50.co.uk

Race results and photographs are available HERE. Race results have also been uploaded to Powerof10 and RunBritain.