CLOSE to 600 runners, joggers, walkers took part in a 6k run to mark the opening of a new junction of the M11.

On a lovely June evening, the participants raised over £8,000 for St Clare Hospice.

The run was organised by the civil engineers behind the project, Graham and Harlow Running and Tri Club.

The vests of a number of local running organisations were much in evidence,:

Harlow Running and Tri Club.

Innovation Multisport

There were also hundreds of families, walking groups, fitness groups, and individuals who just wanted to take the chance to run up to the new motorway junction and back.

We also like the group of runners who took part with designer cones in their heads!

There were also a number of members of the canine family who enjoyed a variation on the theme of their Thursday night walk.

Runners got a chance to warm up before the race as one of Harlow’s top triathletes, Gail Nicholls put them through their paces. Gail then got on her bike to lead then runners round.

They also got a chance to listen to the Harlow Brass Band as they set off.

The run was led off by the chair of Essex County Council, cllr Eddie Johnson.

The course began at there Fawbert and Barnard roundabout and had a lovely downhill section into the Gilden Park area.

There was plenty of supporters on the road.

However, participants then faced quite a climb up to the new junction. We imagine there were a few people waking up on Friday morning with stiff legs.

However, they all enjoyed the descent back down.

ParkRunandBeyond’s Craig Segal came in first.

But for those who were not in a rush, there was HRC’s Roy Steven acting as the tail walker.

It was a lovely event, superbly organised and a real community feel and it also raised thousands for St Clare Hospice.

Thank you to all who submitted photographs.

Special thanks to Gary Martin

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