19-year-old Worcester local Jenny Nesbitt won the inaugural Worcester City 10k in 2014, beating former world champion Paula Radcliffe over the finish line. Since this victory, she has gone on to represent her country several times, including in the Commonwealth Games.
For Worcester City Runs 10th Anniversary, Jenny is returning to her home city to run the 10k, and engage in a friendly competition with friends and family.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the Worcester City 10km this year. This race played a large role in the direction of my career ten years ago, when I won the first edition. It’s been fantastic to see it grow over the past decade and I can’t wait to celebrate its success with a friendly battle over the distance with my family and friends come September!” says Jenny.
Although I don’t live in the city any longer, my mum still works at Kings Worcester and I still have many ties to the place I grew up, so it will be very fun to get back running on the routes I used to run everyday!”
Since the first Worcester City 10k, the event has grown in popularity and size, adding a half marathon in 2017 and two junior races. The 10k and half marathon routes incorporate some of the city’s historic landmarks, including the River Severn and Worcester Cathedral, as well as the surrounding countryside.
Over 25,000 runners have participated in the events since its first year, and the total number of volunteers is nearly a thousand. In addition to a Sunday full of racing, event organisers have introduced the popular Families on Track event to the schedule on Saturday. Established in 2019, Families on Track is Paula Radcliffe’s family relay event, where teams complete a 10km continuous relay.
Alongside Paula and Jenny, who returned to regain her title in 2017, the event has attracted many big names in the running world, including Tanni Grey-Thompson, Jo Pavey, Jenny Meadows and Louise Minchin. Other notable participants include Ben Smith, the charity fund-raiser who ran 401 marathons in 401 days, event organiser and running legend Steve Cram, and Councillor Adrian Gregson while he was Mayor of Worcester.
The Worcester City Runs continues to grow in popularity, despite setbacks caused by COVID-19, and has become a permanent favourite in many race calendars. Event organisers hope to reach record numbers of participants for the 10th-anniversary celebrations on the 14th and 15th September 2024, after half-marathon places sold out last year. Entries are open now via the website: https://worcestercityrun.com/
