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It is not a flashy race, but it has a habit of delivering some compelling story lines.
The 2024 addition of the Richard Friedrich Imperial 10 was no different.
At the front end of affairs the course took a few victims before the result shook out.
Rick Weston has dealt with some injury setbacks since returning to the island, but the rewards of a consistent training block as he gets ready for the Manchester Marathon are showing as he led home in 53:43, good enough for the seventh fastest time ever recorded on this 10-mile course and more than two minutes ahead of Ethan Woodhead, who’s time put him 13th on the all-time ranking.
Pictured: L-r, Steve Dawes, James Priest, Ethan Woodhead and Rick Weston.
Steve Dawes practically limped across the line in third, while James Priest, who had been in the front pack, succumbed to a calf strain and stopped at the L’Eree shingle bank.
When you count David Emery being forced to call it a day at practically the same time while running in fifth, it had been an unforgiving race for the faster men.
Ulrike Maisch took a determined win in the women’s field (1:04.30).
The race is named in honour of her husband, a widely respected club member who sadly died two years ago.
She was joined for the opening climb of the Imperial Hill by son Emil Friedrich, who is too young to race the full distance but stopped at their house before heading off to marshal.
Pictured: Ulrike Maisch.
The distinctive Team Friedrich running vests were also out in force among club members remembering their friend.
Nix Petit was the second women home with Vanessa King third, her time good enough for 12th spot on the women’s all-time list.
113 runners finished the race, two more than completed the opening race of the series.
Pictured: Runners stream up the opening climb of Imperial Hill.
The race was the second in the Chertsey House road race series, which now takes a break until Sunday 21 April when a 5K over a new northern course is on offer.
Before that is four days of racing for the EY Easter Festival.
It begins with a 5k on the West Coast on Easter Friday, before the Full Course cross country on the Saturday.
A fun relay breaks up the more competitive action the next day, before it culminates with a 10K from Grande Rocques on Easter Monday.
Pictured top: Race winners Rick Weston and Ulrike Maisch. All images by Rob Elliott. See more here.
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