THE TWO Castles Run saw a full entry of 4,000 runners take on the course between Warwick and Kenilworth castles.
The 36th running of the race, organised by Kenilworth Rotary Club and the Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club, raised more than £100,000 for charity.
The run was sponsored for the 13th consecutive year by Leamington solicitors Blythe Liggins and lived up to its reputation as one of the best and classic 10k runs in the country.
Competitors gathered within the walls of Warwick Castle and were sent on their way at exactly 9am, with winner Peter Huck arriving at Kenilworth in 31 minutes 23 seconds. He was followed home one minute 33 seconds later by Leamington Cycling and Athletics Club runner Calon Halon, with Martin Williams third in a time of 33 minutes 32 seconds.
Peter said it was the first time he had entered the Two Castles and had enjoyed the tremendous support around the course.
He said: “I felt at the start I was getting bogged down so I decided to kick hard and wasn’t challenged after that.”
The first woman home was Oxford City AC’s Martha Lloyd – who was third last year – in a time of 38 minutes 16 seconds. Tori Green from Rugby and Northampton AC was second in a time 38 minutes 49 seconds, and third place went to Kelly Edwards from Leamington C& AC in 38 minutes 58 seconds.
Race organiser Philip Southwell said: “The Two Castles is one of the best-loved athletic events in the midlands and is both for serious runners and for those who run for sheer enjoyment, or for charity. Each year it grows in popularity and attracts entries from all the country.
“As always, our priority is to have a safe, injury-free event and today we have again achieved that, together with raising £100,000 for charity.”
Richard Thornton, joint senior partner of sponsors Blythe Liggins Solicitors, which also provided a water station at the finish, said: “It was great to be involved with the event once again. We had 30 runners from Blythe Liggins taking part this year, and everyone really appreciated the atmosphere on the day. Once again, Kenilworth Rotary Club did a fantastic job. We are already looking forward to next year’s run.”
