Runners raced through the streets in St Clare Hospice’s 10K 2020 race.

Sunday’s race - the 26th annual event - had been rescheduled from April due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This year’s event was run in accordance with Run Britain Covid-19 road race guidelines and had additional safety measures in place due to the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure the fundraiser could go ahead safely, including social distancing measures in the registration area, a rolling start, and disposable chip timers.

The 212 participants, including two wheelchair athletes, set off from the Hastingwood-based Hospice at 10.30am, tackling a road route through the beautiful Essex countryside.

T54 GB Paralympian and Harlow Athletics Club coach Richard Chiassaro, was the first wheelchair competitor across the finish line in a time of 25 mins 28 secs.

The fastest man was Elisha De Mello, from Rugby and Northampton running club, in a time of 32 minutes 10 secs.

He was followed by Alan Oliver from Sleaford Striders (34:17), and then Innes Fullerton of Braintree & District Running Club (34:38) who took third place overall.

The first woman back was Katy Woodward of Ware Joggers in 39 minutes 25 secs, followed by Rebecca White from Saffron Striders RC (41:10), and then Vicky Simpson of Bishop’s Stortford Running Club (43:41).

The event's organiser, St Clare challenges and events fundraiser Emma Broadbent, said: “We were thrilled our 10k race was finally able to take place this year, and delighted to have put on our first Covid-secure event since lockdown began back in March.

"We have had fantastic support from our local running clubs, supporters and volunteers, and are over the moon that the event has raised in the region of £7,000 for the hospice, which is needed this year more than ever as we tackle the impact that the coronavirus has had on our fundraising income.”

The hospice thanked all the volunteers who marshalled the route and helped on site. This year’s event was sponsored by: Handelsbanken, Tees and Mantle.

The full St Clare 10k results are available online at stclarehospice.org.uk/news.