Runners celebrated the connections they have made through exercise as more than 15,000 people took over central London at the 2024 Vitality London 10,000.
Damp conditions did not deter the spirits of the masses, who completed the 10K route around some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral, the Bank of England, and Westminster Abbey before finishing in front of Buckingham Palace.
The final wave of the day – Smiles for Miles – welcomed thousands of runners to celebrate their running relationships and those connections that inspire us to be active.
Hugh Brasher, London Marathon Events CEO, said: “The Vitality London 10,000 is a celebration of activity and today’s participants have shown that they came to have a party through the streets of the capital. I saw smiles, camaraderie and friendship out on the course as we celebrated those relationships that are born through running. There are fewer sights more gratifying than seeing more than 15,000 people joining together to achieve a goal and I congratulate each of them on their efforts today.”
In 2024, well-known names and personalities from the world of TV and radio took on the Vitality London 10,000 to celebrate how their running communities have brought them together.
Scott Mitchell, founder of charity Babs’ Army in memory of his late wife Dame Barbara Windsor, completed the 10K alongside Jake Wood and Adam Woodyatt – two of EastEnders’ most celebrated actors.
“Running has given me so much and I am so grateful to be able to celebrate with everyone here at the Vitality London 10,000,” said Mitchell. “While it is great to do by yourself, running as a community takes you to a new level. You can run, jog, walk and I get something out of it every time.”
Adam, who has played Ian Beale for 39 years in EastEnders, crossed the Finish Line with his son Sam. Jake, who played Max Branning in the hit soap, ran with his son Buster, and the fathers and sons said they gained a lot from the experience.
“I loved running with Sam,” said Adam. “He is a bit younger than me but I still managed to keep up with him. I did a lot of training on the treadmill so getting out on the road with all of the support has been wonderful and really helps.
“It was a fantastic day and the weather held out which was a real treat,” said Jake. “I kept up with Buster until the end but then he sprinted for the line. But running with him was a really special experience.”
TV personality and DJ Adele Roberts finished alongside her partner, Kate Holderness, as she prepares to run all six Abbott World Marathon Majors in a year – beginning in Berlin on Sunday 29 September – and to become the only person to complete the challenge with a stoma – following her recovery from bowel cancer in 2021.
“This is the best 10K I have ever done,” said Roberts. “It was an amazing day through the streets of London and it was a slice of the London Marathon. Kate didn’t train for this like I did but we did it together and that makes it even more satisfying. Next up, it is Berlin and I feel like this was the perfect preparation. It is going to be a tough year with some big runs but I am up for the challenge.”
While Jo Pavey was celebrating winning the Vitality London 10,000 in 2011, 2015 and 2017, she completed the run today with her group of friends at Running at 40 Plus, the running collective made up of those over 40 with a desire to exercise.
The five-times Olympian, who is the most successful female athlete in the history of the Vitality London 10,000, crossed the line in 52:42.
Pavey said: “I ran it with a different mindset today and had the best time with my friends from Running at 40 Plus. The weather was good to us, and it is such a feel-good event.
"I have discovered a different appreciation for running because of my work with Running at 40 Plus, and they bring such positive energy. Being part of an environment like that is so uplifting and today has reinforced that."
Also completing the 10K as a big group were the running crews of Sexy Pace Run Crew, Black Girls Do Run, BRKED OFF and She Runs, as the feel-good vibes continued around the route.
Thousands of people joined in the celebration of running as part of a community. Running groups and individuals gathered together in Green Park at the Vitality Wellness Festival before heading out on course.
With personal bests put on hold, families and friends celebrated running with each other on a day that celebrated activity around the capital.
Sheldon Odartey, from Emancipated Run Crew, and Nethliee La Croix, from Westside Runners, took on the 10K today. Sheldon said: “If it wasn’t for running, I wouldn’t have met this lady [Nethliee], we met on a run a year ago and we’ve been running together ever since. I’m a pacer so I paced Nethilee today – it was her best 10K time!
“I started running during Covid. I feel like running gives you the space and time for myself. Today was nice.”
Nethliee added: “I’m so pleased with my PB today, I’m 59 and love the mix of ages and people here today.”
Ryan, Christy and Isaac, from London, are old school friends who reunited at the Vitality London 10,000 after realising they had all signed up for the event. Christy and Isaac ran together.
Christy said: “I’ve only just started running recently, I used to hate it, but I’ve made friends through running as part of my rehab from a recent knee surgery. I ran with Isaac; we were much faster than we thought we’d be! The atmosphere at the Finish Line spurred us on. We plan to keep running together as a group.”