The coronavirus pandemic may have made it more low key than usual, but the annual Moor Park 10k was still a huge success.

A total of 337 people completed the race on Sunday 11 October, helping to raise thousands of pounds (and counting!) for the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre and Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre.

The event, which has been staged in the grounds of nearby Merchant Taylors’ School in Sandy Lodge every year since 2002, had been in danger of being cancelled.

However, it was given the green light thanks to a raft of COVID-19 Secure measures introduced by organisers Active Training World, including a socially distanced registration process, sanitising stations dotted around the venue and a staggered ‘F1 grid-style’ start.

Woking AC runner Ben Goddard won in a time of 34.00, ahead of Thomas Grimes of East London Runners in 34.11 and Watford Harriers’ Charlie Woollett in 34.20.

Among those further down the field was X Factor star Honey G, who finished in a time of 1.06.38.

While an overall fundraising figure is yet to be known, the event has to date raised £8,600 to support the Northwood cancer centres, including the complementary therapy service provided at Lynda Jackson.

Joe Dunster, community fundraiser for the East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity, said: “During lockdown and the ongoing restrictions, our team at the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre are working hard to adapt our support to reach out to patients and loved ones during this difficult time.

“Your money will help us to provide guided telephone relaxation, support sessions and create online relaxation video guides and breathing techniques.

“Since the beginning of the lockdown our complementary therapy team has provided over 400 individual sessions to people, many of whom were at home on their own.”

Among the day’s biggest fundraisers were Straight Outta Northwood, a small group of parents whose children all attend schools in the local area.

They only started running in January as a way of keeping fit, then found themselves building a social network community to support, motivate and encourage each other to stay healthy during lockdown.

Having set their sights on taking part in the Moor Park 10k, they have raised more than £4,000 between them (including Gift Aid).

* You can still sign up to the Virtual Moor Park 10k and Fun Runs, which is open for all ages and abilities. Choose your challenge – from 1k to 10k – and run/jog/walk anytime, anywhere during the month of October.

Get involved at: www.activetrainingworld.co.uk/project/moor-park-virtual-10k-fun-runs/

PHOTOS (from top): The top three finishers, Ben Goddard (centre), Thomas Grimes (right) and Charlie Woollett (left); X Factor rapper Honey G was among those taking part in the Moor Park 10k; parent group Straight Outta Northwood who have raised over £4,000