After months of preparation for this year’s Alton 10 the race took place on Sunday12th May. The event is a collaborative event organised by Alton Runners and The Alton Lions. The race is in it’s 40th anniversary year and was once again included in the Hampshire Road Race League (HRRL). It is usually hot and sunny for the Alton 10 and this year was no different with temperatures well into the twenties. The course was described by Alton Runner Kathryn Powell as “10 miles of hot and hilly hell” and she added “But it’s such a pretty run and the finish line was definitely the best bit.” Steph Erskine agreed with the hot and hilly analysis but added “There were some amazing views and countryside. I Ran alongside a Farnham Runner who commented how lucky we were to live surrounded by beautiful countryside, depicted in the wonderful medal, I felt so proud to live in Alton!

The hot weather didn’t discourage 369 runners from taking part including 35 from Alton Runners.

The race winner was Christopher Newnham from Ryde Harriers in a time of 55 minutes and 15 seconds followed by Joshua Price of Isle of Wight Road Runners and Athletics Club in 58m 17s and James Perrett of Alton Runners in 59m 11s. In the female race, the overall winner was Tamsin Anderson of Winchester Running Club in 64m 16s followed by Anna Morris of University of Bath in 68m 30s and Sarah Page of Liss Runners in 68m 52s.There were awards in 18 age categories from Senior Female (17 to 34) through to Male 75+. Notable results for Alton Runners were Rachel Walsh who was second placed Senior Female in 1h 12m 18s and Richard Bacon who finished in second place in the male V70 category in 1h 28m 08s.

Some of the Alton Runners who participated in the event also helped out in other parts of the race organisation team such as race HQ set up and pre-race registration. Registration Manager Jenny French was pleased with how well her team had coped adding “Some of them were experienced members of the registration team and others were newbies but with the help of the experienced ones soon got the hang of it. I was happy that we got most of the runners out of the door by 09:15 giving them time to walk down to the start line at Holybourne Cricket Club.”

Early arrivals at registration were Ryde Running Club who had to catch a 6 am ferry to get to Alton in time for the race. Gosport Road Runners were also early arrivals. Deborah Birch advised “5 of us travelled by car from Gosport. We were 1st to arrive in the car park (2 hours before the start of the race) and there was a marshal at the car park ready and welcoming. We joked with him we’d be first to arrive and last to leave! We sure were because after the run we ate our picnic on the field enjoying the sunshine and warm breeze listening to music from the football club! It was a great, relaxing finale to a friendly, well organised event and even better when the results came in and I was 1st in my age group for the first time ever in a race. We loved the event today. Everything was fabulous and the medal is one of my favourites.” Fellow Gosport Road Runner Stephen Cawte echoed this saying “I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it thank you very much team Alton.” He also advised that entries for the Gosport half Marathon which takes place on 17th November are now open,

Charles Fox of New Forest Runners and winner of the male 70 to 75 age group was also complementary about the Alton 10 saying “It was a great run today. Thank you Alton Runners and it was perfect weather. We all  enjoyed the heat and the hills, some more than others,” The New Forest club’s home event in the HRRL takes place on 27th October and entries are now open.

Nicola Fitzpatrick had intended running for Alton Runners but was unfortunately unable to run it because of illness so chose to help out on the finish line instead. “I hated missing out on the run but at the finishers water station there was some great feedback from those running on the friendly host club and the terrific atmosphere of the event and of course the great finishers medal.” Helping out in this way gave Nicola the opportunity to mix with fellow club members and she added “Alton runners is more than the benefits of exercise and health also the wider wellbeing of its members through social engagement.”

Another Alton Runner who was disappointed to miss the race was Sarah Stanbridge who chose to help out with baggage handling instead saying that she saw how beautiful the medal was when she saw competitors wearing them as they came in to collect their kit bags. “So many people commented on how lovely it was and to pass on their thanks.” The medal that so many people were complimentary about was designed by Alton Runners club member Emily Hall and consisted of a butterfly in Alton Runners colours of yellow and black.

Alton Lions have been providing Marshalls for the Alton 10 for more than 30 years. The safety of the Runners is paramount in the marshalling of the event. Alton Runners and Alton Lions work closely together in the planning stages to make the event as safe and enjoyable as possible. As well as providing 30 course marshalls the Lions assisted in marshalling the car park. Chief Marshal John Mill advised “Many of these Marshalls have previously taken part in the event but also newer Lions members attended, this also included Lions supporters and volunteers. The newer marshals are paired with more experienced Marshalls to help them learn the ropes. All marshalls receive comprehensive instructions and a safety briefing about their marshalling point. Alton Lions are delighted to have been able to support this long standing joint activity again this year.”

Race Director Ollie Steele-Perkins was a relieved man at the end of the race knowing that it had gone ahead without serious incident thanks to the volunteers from the Lions and from Alton Runners. Ollie’s highlights of the day were “The starter horn, the sun, the smiles, laughs, and seeing it all come together, knowing that everyone made it over the line safely and that we had a successful race. Thanks to the volunteers, the race committee and especially to previous Race Director Philip Scrase for his continued support”

The 2025 race will be taking place on 12th May 2025.