Ranelagh 10K · 2025
As with the recent Ranelagh Half, this year's 10K felt so wonderful and joyous.
Once again, the sun came out to give us another warm, sunny day, full of individual and collective moments representing the best of our sport - club & community spirit, coupled with so much heart, joy and happiness.
None of this would have been possible with the time, effort & support that all of our members have selflessly given. So much goes on the days before the event, to ensure that it comes together successfully and safely, but it would all fall apart without the commitment everyone - runners and volunteers - give on the day to make the event a reality.
On behalf of our club, and from the bottom of our hearts, the hugest of THANK YOUS!
This year's race went up another level!
Firstly, we (almost) SOLD OUT! With only 27 entries short of the total 750 places, it's clear proof that our events are popular and enjoyed by many.
The very warm conditions in the week before were a cause for concern, but thankfully it cooled significantly on the day. Still, it was very challenging conditions for the 573 runners that started; in and amongst them a staggering 69 Ranelagh Harriers!
Despite the heat, everyone smashed it; both the open course record (Sam Stevens | City of Norwich AC | 31:45) and the women’s record (Lizzie Apsley | Thames Hare & Hounds | 35:20) were broken.
1st Ranelagh open across the line was Josh Reed (33:30), and 1st Ranelagh woman was Molly Riglin (40:57). In a very strong field, our Womens team placed a credible 7th, while our Mens team placed 2nd.
Shout out to Molly, Agnes Nagy (42:50), Rebecca Bissell (47:35) and Megan Warner (49:05); and to Josh, Gareth Hopkins (33:59), Ross Macdonald (34:41) and Phil Collins (35:08) respectively.
When asked, Phil Collins had this to say about his race:
Six weeks on from the Ranelagh Half, and it was the shorter, and supposedly faster, Ranelagh 10k. Could it possibly live up to the fantastic event we had in May..?
In the build up, runners and organisers alike were monitoring the weather forecast with keen interest, bordering on trepidation. Heat wave! The day before the race was forecast to be the hottest day of the year and at one point race day at 9am was projected to be a stifling 26C. In this case, fast times and PB attempts would be off the agenda.
Personally, the likelihood of hot weather held me back from entering. Were there any volunteer duties I could do instead? Possibly yes. Ok, to run or to volunteer, it a was finely balanced decision, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one in two minds. Then as we got close to race day, the forecast mercifully got a little cooler, and there were already sufficient volunteers. Ok, that sealed it, I was running then!
To wide relief, by the early hours of Sunday morning there was definitely a cooler breeze in the air! And just like the Half in May there was glorious sunshine. Once more Riverside Drive playground was a hive of activity, buzzing with anticipation, and importantly packed with volunteers welcoming both runners and spectators with a warm smile. First class organisation yet again. Coach Riley led the static warm up, with others choosing strides up Riverside Drive. Race director Ed Perry, assisted by Cordelia, was poised and ready with the starters orders. Was it just my perception, or did the assembled field of runners look a bit more stacked, with a bit more intent than in May…
It was a fast start for sure and the field quickly stretched out along Riverside Drive. Always easy to go off too fast at these races, especially 10k. Better to start conservatively and build into it. But what I thought was a conservative pace still felt like I’d gone out too fast! It felt very warm very quickly and I can’t have been the only one that was rapidly recalibrating their pre-run expectations.
Some brief but welcome shade on the river and a water station for dousing, but nevertheless the pain chamber arrived ridiculously early into Sunday’s race! I thought about something I read on Training Peaks the previous week: that as your training gets better your racing doesn’t get easier, you just end up pushing harder in your race. Dammit, I just want easier racing!
I contemplated easing up, but nobody in front of me or behind me was easing up. Huge respect to everyone on Sunday who dug in and just kept going. It wasn’t easy, in fact it was bloody hard, and reinforced the cliche of 10k being a nemesis distance for many runners. It certainly felt relatively harder than the Half in May!
Home advantage was a huge help though. Part of that was knowing the route but it was mainly seeing all those familiar volunteer faces dotted regularly around the course - and in particular those you have trained hard with on Tuesday nights - just willing you on. Too many names to mention but thank you for every shout and nod of encouragement, it really does help.
Second time round at the water station and brain fog was descending. I wondered if I could accurately gesture to those holding the cups to simply throw water over me instead of a precarious handover! The end of the race was just a blur. I passed someone only to be promptly overtaken back. The tank was virtually empty and thankfully it was a slight descent to the finish.
In common with many others, it wasn’t quite the time I wanted before the race. However, I did feel a sense of achievement for just hanging in there and I was delighted to sneak home first in the V45 category by a comfortable margin of one second! Thanks to Rick Jenner assisting with results for that one.
For those that found it as hard as me, Runner’s World website has some encouraging words of explanation and quantification:
“When it’s hot out, your core temperature rises, and your body tries to cool itself by pushing more blood to the arteries and veins near the surface of your skin. This cooling effort makes the heart work harder and diverts energy from working muscles. The typical runner will add 20 to 30 seconds per mile for every 5-degree increase above 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15C).”
In that context, everyone who pushed through to the finish on Sunday put in a great shift, but I think worth highlighting some standout performances from the following Ranelagh: Josh Reed as first Ranelagh and 7th overall with a blistering 33.30, Gareth Hopkins second Ranelagh and 10th in 33.59, Ross MacDonald third Ranelagh and 14th with 34.41, David Ready in 26th with 35.36.
Men’s and women’s course records were both broken, and every single runner was cajoled, encouraged and congratulated as they crossed the line, culminating in a rousing greeting and human tunnel for the last runner to finish. Such was the grand finale that the last but one runner resolved to finish last at next years event and earn those plaudits!
In summary, a rollercoaster of a race and one I was glad to be a part of. Another Ranelagh day in running paradise at Riverside Drive.
An ongoing ambition is for our 10K to be a competitive club event that remains inclusive…
… by encouraging and rewarding performance at all levels. From sprint finishes to big grins of relief, we want to create an event that celebrates every single step.
There was at least 12 PBs, and at least 4 athletes ran their first 10K ever at our event. An astonishing 134 entrants ran sub-40 minutes; 12 of them were women.
We hear next from Karen Feeney, who trains with Inter 3:
On Sunday 22 June 2025, I took part in the Ranelagh Harriers 10k run.
For me, the experience was both a personal challenge and a celebration of the progress I have made in my fitness journey since an injury in January. I had trained consistently in the lead-up to the race, building up my endurance and strength.
As this was my first race of the year - and given the challenge of hot temperatures - I decided I was running to finish, not to achieve a personal best! The morning started sunny and warm, with perfect running weather, and spirits were high. We were given a great warm-up session and I felt a real sense of camaraderie among the runners.
On the day, I kept a steady pace, consciously holding back during the first five kilometres, which enabled me to maintain a good rhythm on the final lap. Running along the river was lovely; there was shade and a gentle breeze. The challenge came in the last few kilometres when I began to feel the impact of the sun and the heat.
However, I managed a good time of 61:40 for myself and felt proud, motivated, and ready for the next challenge. I thought the event was exceptionally well organised, with clear markers, friendly and encouraging marshals, much-needed water stations, and even a water spray!
There was a genuine sense of community among the runners and spectators. It was uplifting to be surrounded by people of all ages and abilities who share a love of running. Whether experienced or new to the sport, everyone was welcomed with the same enthusiasm and support.
While we’re hugely grateful for the energy the runners bring…
… this event would be nothing without our many volunteers. As with our half, SO MANY runners crossed the line singing our volunteers’ praises; commenting on how wonderful all the marshals were.
To a person, they spoke again about how lovely everyone was, how supported they felt, how well it was marked, how great the water station was and what a fab event it was.
Many stayed on to continue their celebrations with stickers, patches, spot prizes, trophies & Surrey medals; bringing home how amazing our running community truly is when fellow runners stick around, relaxing and debriefing together.
Although everyone played a part by coming together to represent our club, and supporting all the runners for the benefit of our sport; what is equally crucial are the great partnerships we have with our sponsors and supporters; a partnership that stems from a shared passion for our sport.
Our gratitude and deepest appreciation to
The Park Brewery, and
The final word therefore from Gavin Hillhouse, Co-World President of Pinnacle Plumbing along with his brother, Robbie Hillhouse, by way of a poem (yup! you read that right) written by his (other) brother (yup! there are many Hillhouses).
As sponsors, volunteers and club members, they and their extended family and friends have supported our events as if it were their own. They've helped us with EVERYTHING - collecting stuff in the days before, helping to set up, breaking it all down, packing it up and most importantly, hosting the BEST water station out on course.
Pinnacle Plumbing: Always One Step Ahead
The sun beat down, the runners faced their test,
Ten thousand metres until they reached their rest.
But at the point where thirst began to spread,
Stood Pinnacle Plumbing, One Step Ahead.
Trev finally arrived and stood at his post
When it came to the boerie rolls, the Cooke ate the most,
While Lloyd the bushman braaied in his pinny,
Can anyone explain why they still call him Skinny?
Sweet Ashleigh with blonde flowing hair and blue eyes,
Confused passing runners with her water-BOY disguise.
Don’t forget super Sue with the smile of the day
Revived even those runners in a critical way.
Then Gav, our gaffer - and DJ, they said,
Set up tubs and tables while beats played - in his head.
With Rob the leader – Gav’s partner in crime
Is he the oldest water boy of all time?
Mighty Maeve, Ruby Orange Caterer supreme,
Kept order and calm and geed on the team.
An expert as always was Shelley, sharp-eyed
Never missed a beat - except the one the DJ denied.
John and Frenchie stood firm with water pumps in hand,
Cooling down runners in a style that seemed grand,
Pumping and sweating, aiming to please
Their arms went the distance – not so much their knees.
Ryan: quiet, efficient in the blistering sun,
The Duracell man who got things done,
And Alba who added some class and good grace,
She lifted the mood and brightened the place.
Pinnacle’s ace was Jarryd, swift and sure footed,
Displaying his skill in Ranelagh deep rooted.
Finally there’s Len, who with camera would try,
To snap sweaty glory as the masses flew by.
So a shout to all those who gave up their time
Is the ultimate intention of this little rhyme,
With sweat, strength and laughter so freely spread
It’s Pinnacle Plumbing, Always One Step Ahead.
We are hugely proud to have the opportunity to work with a great team on a great event, to support each other and to host and collaborate with others for the good of our sport.
THANK YOU.
Race report by Ed Perry & Narissa Vox
💙 Full results: https://results.racetimingsolutions.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=16269&RId=22143&EId=2&dt=0
💛 Ranelagh results: Ranelagh10K2025.ClubResults.pdf
💙 Photos: Emma de Heveningham @emmadeh and Owen Delaney @owendelaneyphotos
