Hundreds of runners run in the SPAR City of Preston 10K

Hundreds of runners took part in the SPAR City of Preston 10K on Sunday 24th September.

Sponsored by SPAR for a third year in a row, through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd, Preston’s much loved community race event, delivered by Quest Events, welcomed runners, friends and families to the streets of Preston City Centre to take part in the hugely popular 10K run.

The race started and finished in the historic Flag Market where the event village was located. The route led runners through Preston’s picturesque Avenham Park, before heading back towards the city centre for the finish.

First over the finish line for Male runners was Andy Benson from Salford Harriers & AC who completed the distance 34:52. Following in a time of 36.15 was Alex Curran from Blackburn Road Runners. Third place went to Karl Hodgson from Red Rose Road Runners after finishing in a time of 36:39.

For the female runners, first over the line was Sophie Pilkington from Red Rose Road Runners who completed the distance in 41:16. Following in a time of 41:56 was Charlotte Gregory from Preston Harriers. Third place went to Charlotte Riddle after finishing in a time of 43:16.

All runners who crossed the finish line received a commemorative medal and t-shirt as well as official race chip timing and fruit and flapjacks provided by SPAR. Prize money for the top three to cross the finish line is given 50% cash and 50% in the form of a charity donation to a charity of the winner’s choice.

SPAR and a number of exhibitors including Heartbeat, Preston, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Roy Castle Lung Centre, Marie Curie, Emmaus Preston, PNE Community Trust entertained spectators as loved ones were out on the track.

The day also saw over 40 runners of all ages take on the MyFirst Mile Run – an initiative created to encourage people to complete their very first event, and make their step to a more active and healthier lifestyle.

CEO of Quest Events, Emma Marsh commented: “Sunday’s SPAR City of Preston 10K was a great success – we welcomed the most runners to the event than ever before! We’d like to thank SPAR once again for sponsoring the incredible series of races and helping to make each one a huge success.

‘’I’d like to thank all of the brilliant volunteers that came to help on the day but most of all, every runner who took part and raised money for great causes. We look forward to this event year after year. The local community once again have really embraced the run and always bring a family- fun and friendly feeling to it! We can’t wait for next year’s already!”

Quest Events and SPAR UK brought The SPAR Series for 2023, creating a new series of local running races helping to inspire active lifestyles in communities including the SPAR City of Preston 10K, the iconic Tour of Tameside in June and the Ron Hill Accrington 10K in April this year, with the three established events attracting thousands of runners.

Quest Events are committed to creating an enjoyable occasion for the whole community.

Marketing Manager at James Hall & Co. Ltd, Tom Murphy, said: “It was wonderful to see so many runners of all ages and all abilities on the day and I think it highlights what a superb community event the SPAR City of Preston 10K is. We also had some of our James Hall team running brilliant times in what is a home race for our company.

“Preston City Centre Flag Market was buzzing throughout the morning, and it really was a celebratory atmosphere and a day of personal achievement. After the success of the Tour of Tameside and the Ron Hill Accrington 10K earlier in the year, this was a fantastic way to close The SPAR Series of running events in 2023.”