Garden City Runners host 2024 Midweek League mob match

The mob match, which brings together clubs from all three divisions for one big race, is held over 10k and snakes its way to a from Ridgeway Academy via The Mundells and Shire Park.

And hosted by Garden City Runners, there was a huge turnout from the home club too among the near 500-strong field.

In total GCR had a little more than 100 members either volunteering or racing.

It proved a great night in all regards as they finished second overall behind St Albans Striders, taking the win in the men's event and placing second in the women.

On an individual front, Bradley Birch finished second in 33 minutes 51 seconds with Ben Carr a little over a minute behind in fourth.

Joe Ansbro (16th) and Danny Figg (19th) also placed in the top 20.

Jessica Timmins led the women's squad home in 12th, clocking 43:06, with Caroline Hale 17th and Katherine Farrell in 20th.

Amber-Leigh Marvin was just outside the top 20 in 22nd.

The race was followed by the league's presentation evening, with GCR picking up their prize as Division Two champions.

They have now been promoted to the top flight for 2025.

There were individual plaudits too.

Zoe Stephens was third overall while Bruce Judge was first in the over 50 category.

Mike Russell matched that for the over 60s while Veronica Shadbolt came second in the over 55s.

Elsewhere, Nadine and Aiden Dwyer took part in the Chiltern Challenge.

Aiden opted for the 25k option while Nadine decided to double that.

She said: "It was a tough old course with some killer hills, over 1,000m of elevation for the ultra, and pretty rough terrain.

"I fell twice but was OK to continue. It was a brutal route but I had a great day and met lots of lovely people."

Kath Evans, Elaine Giles and Alex Yates of Garden City Runners with their Race to the Stones medals. Picture: GCR (Image: Garden City Runners)

The Race To The Stones was a case of unfinished business for GCR trio Alex Yates, Kath Evans and Elaine Giles.

Yates said: "Having done the full 100k event in 2022, we returned to do the second 50k in daylight, so we could actually see the route that saw such dark moments of the soul two years ago.

"All was going well with perfect weather and stunning views from the Ridgeway.

"But nearly 7k from the end, Elaine fell and cut her knee badly.

"The medics were amazing though and took all three of us to the end to collect bags.

"The organisers then ferried us to the start to pick up the car, so Elaine could be taken to the Urgent Care Centre at the QE2.

"All in all, an amazing event, with really caring people for when things don't go to plan. They even gave us medals out of sympathy."