The Flitwick 10K, organised by Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers Running Club in the heart of Bedfordshire, is a fast and undulating closed-road race around the picturesque outskirts of Flitwick. As a well-organised, friendly event featuring plenty of supportive marshals throughout, this race is a great choice for beginners and experienced runners alike.

Throughout 2024, Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers Running Club have chosen to support the Above and Beyond Cancer Foundation who offer support to people, their carers, or family members diagnosed with cancer. They provide a safe place to talk through their experience.

The latest edition of this well-established event was on Sunday 14 April 2024 and 606 runners finished in 1:26:04, with 15% of net income from the race going directly to the main charity.

At the front of the pack were Liam Busby (Wycombe Phoenix Harriers, 34:01), Robert Barnes (Stopsley Striders, 34:35) and M45 Kieran White (Marshall Milton Keynes, 35:35) as 30 runners finished inside the 40-minute threshold – good running on a testing course that circumnavigates Flitwick Wood via Stepppingley Copse, Flitwick Plantation and Priestley Plantation.

Just outside the 40-minute mark was the women's champion W45 Christine Lathwell (Stopsley Striders, 40:26) who was well clear of Hannah Ridley (North Herts AC, 42:22) – who was making her 10K race debut – and Molly McKenzie (Bedford & County AC, 44:07) – also a 10K first-timer.

The course records are 30:12 (Simon Tanui, 2005) and 33:49 (Jo Wilkinson, 2007) so this course can produce impressive times in the right conditions. This was the 35th anniversary of the race first run in 1989. Nice touches included an unusual glass medal and souvenir race T-shirts for sale to reduce costs and the environmental impact. The selfie frame proved popular at the finish line marked by an inflatable gantry and race clock.

Results are can be found via the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy Ampthill and Flitwick Flyers RC on Facebook