DESPITE the forecast, the sun shone on the 600 Chew Valley 10k runners in Bishop Sutton on Sunday, June 9. 

Reading AC’s Rohan Brooks beat the pack to win the race in a competitive 33:41 (just missing the 2014 record of 33:05).

Westbury Harriers’ Rosie Hamilton-James was the fastest female, setting a new women’s record of 36:30. She also took a minute off her winning 2023 time of 37:40.

Her 17 year-old sister Steph Hamilton-James was hot on her heels, winning the female juniors category with 42:28. Fastest male junior was Max Booth, in 39:19.

The 12th Chew Valley 10k was sponsored by Brock & Houlford Expert Eyecare and Winford Ford and raised money for local schools Bishop Sutton Primary and Chew Valley, along with two charities, Black2Nature and Blood Bikes NICU Support. 

Bishop Sutton Primary headteacher Dieter Cook and his school pupils urged on the runners with their African drums, a much loved Chew Valley 10k tradition. The Pre-School teas and cakes went down as well as ever, and fitness coach Ross Elliott led the warm-up.

Many run to to raise funds for their own personal charities. 17 year old local Zac Radforth ran his first 10k in memory of his grandpa, known as Popsie. Zac said, “He’s been suffering from Motor Neurone Disease and sadly lost his battle this week, so I wanted to try and raise awareness of this horrible disease. It was tough but I ran it in 45 minutes, so feel very proud.” See his Justgiving page at bit.ly/ZakRadforth.

Local engineering firm Dynisma entered 11 runners and were the fastest team. The Somerset Toiletry Company also entered a team and (along with others) ran in support of local homeless charity BillyChip. 

Four times Iron Man World Champion Chrissie Wellington OBE was there to cheer on runners and start the race.

She said: "It was such an honour to start the Chew Valley 10k – an event that celebrates all that is wonderful about community, activity, health and wellbeing. It brought people from all walks (and runs!) of life together, showcasing our beautiful landscape and raising much needed funds for four really important local causes.”

Race Director Denise Mellersh said: “Our fantastic community gets behind this event year in, year out. Their support for us as organisers and also for the runners, is hugely appreciated. Thanks also to all the local businesses that play a part or sponsor us.”