Mass running returned last weekend with the Kew Gardens 10k and its race director said he hopes more running events including parkrun can soon follow.

The UK's largest social distancing running event was held across September 12 and 23 inside Kew Gardens.

A total of 3,500 runners were spread out over different allocated arrival times, holding zones.

They then set off four pepole at a time in a first running event of this size in the country since the outbreak of Covid-19. This means the starting gun was fired 875 times!

Race director Tom Bedford said: "With many mass participation sporting events cancelled since February, there were a lot of eyes on us.

"Many people didn't believe that we could put on a socially distanced running event, but I am pleased to say it was a success and that all of the hard work from our team during lockdown paid off.

"A lot of the feedback we have received so far is that people felt safe and socially distanced throughout the event and I would like to thank our runners for cooperating under our strict Covid-19 rules while still having fun.

"One of our motives was to provide a physical platform for charity fundraising and to help build fitness, and physical and mental well-being.

"I thank the runners but I would also like to thank all of the staff, amazing volunteers and Kew Gardens for coming together to get this event over the start line and I hope it paves the way for other safe running events and parkruns to return as soon as possible."

Finishing times

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, raised an outstanding £12,500 for Primrose Hospice, while running a time of 53 minutes and 44 seconds.

But he was almost 20 minutes behind the winner, Seyfu Jamaal, who ran the fastest time of the weekend.

His impressive time of 30 minutes and 14 seconds broke London Heathside AC's 16-year-old club record.

The 'Queen of Richmond' title went to British international Tracey Barlow who was the fastest woman over the weekend with a time of 34 minutes and 54 seconds.

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