More than £11,000 was raised for St Clare Hospice at its annual 10 kilometre race this weekend.

A total of nearly 400 athletes took part in the race on Sunday, April 11 as the annual sporting event celebrated its 27th anniversary.

This year’s event had additional safety measures in place due to the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure the fundraiser could go ahead safely, including: social distancing measures in the registration area, a rolling start, and disposable chip timers.

The participants, including 4 wheelchair athletes, set off from the Hastingwood-based Hospice at 10.30am, tackling a route along roads through the beautiful Essex countryside.

T54 GB Paralympian and Harlow Athletics Club coach, Richard Chiassaro, was the first wheelchair competitor across the finish line in a time of 26 mins 20 secs.

The first man back was James Bosher, from Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners, in a time of 32 minutes 57 seconds and the first woman back was Laura Thomas of Ipswich Jaffa Running Club with a time of 36 minutes 12 seconds.

Event Organiser, St Clare Challenges and Events Fundraiser Emma Broadbent, said: “We were thrilled that our 10k Race was able to take place safely this April, after last year had to be postponed due to Covid. We’re delighted to have put on our first covid-secure event since the autumn.”

“We have had fantastic support from our local running clubs, supporters and volunteers, selling out our 400 places well before the normal closing date. We’re over the moon that the event has raised more than £11,000 for the Hospice, which is needed this year more than ever as we tackle the impact that the coronavirus has had on our fundraising income.”

The event was so successful that the hospice has announced it will now take place twice each year, with the next race set for Sunday, September 5.