Five stars for the Asda Foundation York 10K

The 2019 Asda Foundation York 10K as truly been a success with thousands of runners crossed the finish line to hand local charities a cash boost.

Launched in 2009, the event has become a popular feature on the city’s running calendar.​

The streets were a riot of colour as runners from across the country turned out to mark 10 years of York 10K. Enthusiastic crowds cheered them around the course that started and finished in Knavesmire Road and too in some of the historic city’s landmarks including the Minster and Clifford’s Tower.

First home was Graham Rush with a time of 31 mins 20 secs. Cameron Strachan took second place in 31mins 51secs, with Kristian Watson third in 32mins 55secs.

The first woman across the finish line was Lorna Young in 36mins 17secs. Second place went to Sarah Hunter who finished in 38mins 56secs ahead of Georgina Weston who was third in 39mins 23secs.

The field included hundreds of runners taking part in the York 10K Corporate Challenge, a new feature sponsored by chartered accountants BHP, in which firms will compete for the title of fastest team in the race. The results will be announced soon.

Daniel Sowden, Partner at BHP, which has offices in York, said: “We were delighted with the response to the first York BHP Corporate Challenge. It brought that extra element of competition to the 10K and the teams certainly embraced it.”

After the 10K runners had crossed the finish line it was the turn of the youngsters in the popular Arena Group Mini and Junior Run. Some of the biggest cheers of the day were reserved for the children aged between 3 and 8 tackling the 1.5K route and the 9 to 14-year-olds taking on 2.5K

Organised by Run For All, the run forms part of the legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson who raised nearly £2m for charity by undertaking a series of endurance challenges, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Many entrants were running in aid of the 10K’s partner charities which are the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support, Candlelighters, York Mind, Martin House Children’s Hospice, St Leonard’s Hospice, York Against Cancer, The Island, Changing Lives and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Mandy Hepworth, Asda Foundation co-ordinator, said: “Well done to everyone who turned out to make the tenth running of the Asda Foundation York 10K so special. It is a great fundraiser for many charities and everyone involved can feel very proud of their efforts.”

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Run For All’s head of events, said: “Over the past ten years the York 10K has grown into one of the highlights of our season and a big thank you goes to everyone – runners, spectators, volunteers, partner charities and sponsors – who have contributed to its success.”  

The York 10K is supported by the Asda Foundation, BHP Chartered Accountants, Aftershockz, Runderwear, Arla Protein, High5, Motorpoint, Minster FM, The City of York Council and The Press.