In pictures: Runners take on Maidenhead Easter Ten for 70th anniversary

The Maidenhead Easter Ten celebrated its 70th anniversary on Good Friday with around 1,000 runners pounding the pavements during the milestone race.

The annual run, organised by Maidenhead Athletic Club, has grown from strength to strength since it first took place on Easter Monday in 1953.

The event was initially held to mark the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne.

More than 2,000 spectators lined the streets near the start line at Maidenhead Office Park to watch the latest iteration of the race which included runners young and old.

Specially designed 70th anniversary medals were handed out to all runners which included a spinning feature with the crest of Maidenhead Athletic Club.

Race director Sandra Koch, who helped design the medals, said: “There aren’t that many races that are run continuously for 70 years, so I thought we have to do something a little bit special and that’s why we have a fabulous medal.” 

The Easter Ten has only failed to take place on two occasions – back in 2001 when the outbreak of foot and mouth disease curtailed the event as well as during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sandra added: “There is so much knowledge and so much history in the club and in the race and I look at old pictures from 1953 and 1954 where it was a very different race.

“Now you look at it and there are so many people and so many women running and so many children running. It’s not for elite runners [only] anymore.

“It’s amazing. I feel very honoured to be the one to actually organise it.”

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds was on hand to kick off the Easter Half Mile and Easter Mile for the event’s younger runners – with prizes and Easter eggs dished out at the finish line.

A short distance away, runners aged 17 or over were gearing up for the start of the Maidenhead Easter Ten race from 9.30am.

Royal Borough mayor Cllr Simon Bond wished runners good luck before officially kicking off the 10-mile race.  

The flat course took runners through roads including Westacott Way and Waltham Road and the countryside before returning to the office park.  

Former Maidenhead MP and Prime Minister Theresa May could be spotted occupying her familiar role of course marshal – directing the runners on their way.

There were plenty of cheers as the first runner from Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow Athletic Club (AC) crossed the finish line at around the 50-minute mark, shortly followed by a steady stream of others – some even in fancy dress.  

In the events’ race village Royal Borough mayor helped to present trophies and vouchers sponsored by Runners’ Retreat to the top finishers across a range of categories.  

Runners from an array of clubs took part in the Easter Ten, including Burnham Joggers, Datchet Dashers, Slough Windsor Eton & Hounslow AC and Reading Roadrunners.  

This year’s event raised money for The Dash Charity, Thames Valley Adventure Playground (TVAP) and MAC’s junior section, with the money split three ways.  

“It’s brilliant – from the children...to participants that are in their 80s, in their 70s, in their 60s taking part, it is really a whole spectrum of people running."