Crowds of supportive friends and family turned out for yet another successful Marwell 10K and junior Fun Run yesterday (Sunday 23 May).

Despite running on one of the hottest days of the year, two new course records were set. Simon Plummer (City of Salisbury) stormed home with a time of 32:25, over a minute ahead of James Baker, winner for the last two years (Chichester Runners). In the ladies race, 2008 winner Karrie Blake (City of Portsmouth) set an impressive new course time of 38:58, ahead of Lora Bukhory by 85 seconds.

Despite being known as a tough course, the Marwell 10K attracted nearly 1000 runners, and 300 children also took part in the junior Fun Run around the park, which was won by Evie Grace in around 7 minutes.

The Marwell 10K is an annual fundraising event jointly organised with Eastleigh Running Club. Now in its 11th year, the money raised from the event will go towards Marwell’s ongoing work to conserve endangered species and habitats, both locally and internationally, and to care for and feed the animals in the park.

Gwen Heywood-Waddington, Marwell’s Community Fundraising Manager said: “On behalf of Marwell Wildlife, I would like to thank all of the runners that took part yesterday, and I would also like to thank everyone that sponsored them and gave support on the course.  As we are a charity, events like these are so important to us to raise funds so that we can continue our conservation work and secure a better future for endangered wildlife for generations to come”.

James Cretney, Marwell’s Chief Executive added: “Well done to all who have gone out of their way to raise additional sponsorship income. As a registered charity we are especially grateful for everyone’s support, and it is very much appreciated.”

Full results and photos.

24 May 2010