ASICS London 10k: Record entry enjoy capital’s iconic event

The ASICS London 10K saw a record number of runners race through the iconic streets of London on Sunday, with over 17,500 entries – including myself!

Starting on the edge of Green Park, just a short walk from Buckingham Palace, my fellow runners and I took in an array of the capital’s most iconic sites, including Westminster Bridge, the London Eye, Piccadilly Circus, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square, before finishing on Whitehall, just past Downing Street.

The ASICS London 10K is recognised as one of the world’s leading city centre 10Ks, which also boasted an electric atmosphere with live bands and DJs lining the route alongside the thousands of cheering supporters.

Having started running back on local roads back in the spring of 2020 as part of a weight loss/fitness drive which saw me drop three stone, this was my first ‘official’ event. 

And despite feeling a twinge in my left calf muscle inside the first 2k, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience – the steel band at Piccadilly Circus gave me an early boost as I battled through the pain barrier, while the water stations and mist sprays were most welcome! – as I managed to cross the line in 53 minutes 28 seconds.

It was a well-paced effort too as I passed 5k in 27.14 (5,308th place) and completed the second half in 26.14 with an average km pace of 5.21.

But it left me some way behind the first male and female finishers – Jonathan Collier (Harrow AC, 30.17) and Zofia Nanova (34.23) – and fastest wheelchair racer Bethany Evans (42.29), yet well inside the first third of finishers in 4,637th place.

And I’ve already started pestering friends and family to join me in the 2024 field to celebrate a landmark birthday!

Runners at this year’s event have already raised around £500,000 for a range of charities, including the events’ national charity partners, the Alzheimer’s Society and Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity as well as local charities such as Special Effects, which uses innovative technology to help transform the lives of people with a disability, and The Whitechapel Mission, which supports homeless and marginalised people.

Craig Dews, chief executive of LimeLight Sports Group, said: “Once again, the streets of London came alive for the ASICS London 10K, truly one of the highlights in the capital’s running calendar. We are proud to have delivered our biggest ever ASICS London 10k, cementing its position as one of the world’s greatest 10K running events. 

“We would like to congratulate everyone that took part and thank all of our partners for making events like this possible, from our charity partners to the likes of ASICS who have delivered immense support to make the 10K what it is.”

LimeLight Sports Club has two more events taking place in London this year – Challenge London on August 6 and the London Duathlon, a run-bike-run challenge in Richmond Park, on September 3. LimeLight Sports Club’s final event of the year is the Oxford Half on October 15. 

Lucy Greenhalgh, Marketing Manager ASICS UK and Ireland ASICS, added: “Congratulations to all runners who took to the streets in London today. It was great to see so many people sharing the joy of movement. Running never felt better.”

Top Three Male Finishers: 1st Jonathan Collier, Harrow Athletics Club 30.17; 2nd Ed Chuck, Dulwich Runners, 30.47; 3rd Marshall Smith, Ashford AC, 30:48.

Top Three Female Finishers: 1st Zofia Nanova, 34.23; 2nd Holly Dixon, Cambridge Harriers; 3rd Izzie Shirley, Bath Triathlon Performance Centre, 36.07.

Full results at https://results.sporthive.com/events/7079427854685417984 

To sign up for the 2024 ASICS London 10K, and to secure the lowest price, visit https://asicslondon10k.com/