A one-two finish was the icing on the cake for Garden City Runners as the new-look Welwyn 10k was hailed a huge success.
The race, which had used the streets of Welwyn village, moved to Panshanger Park for an inaugural trail run.
Organised by the club, in partnership with Welwyn Festival Week and HRJ Foreman Laws Solicitors, Tarmac and Croudace Homes, almost 500 runners completed the course, not put off by its challenge, the swarm of bees that had to be cleared at the start or the oppressive heat.
And while it was bees buzzing at the start, it was the GCRs themselves at the end after the victory for Dan Pudner and the second place for team-mate Chris Baylis.
The winning time was 37 minutes dead with Baylis coming home over two minutes later in 39:25.
Peter Harvey made it three GCR males in the top five after finishing in 40:15.
Ware Joggers' Mark Ford rounded off the podium.
In the women's race, Freya Weddell and Wendy Walsh made it a one-two for St Albans Striders, Monica Petrosino of Leighton Buzzard in third, while the top two GCR females were Helen Stafford (51:31) and Sophie Packman (52:10) both winning their respective age categories too.
Harvey was also first in his, the MV50 group.
For others though it was more of a social occasion, and an opportunity to take in the spectacular views at a leisurely pace along the scenic trail.
The event was also family inclusive, as children aged four to 14 were able to take part in a 2k fun run.
With on-site attractions and facilities, it all made for the perfect start for the Welwyn festival week, raising money for charities such as Codicote Foodbank, Herts Young Homeless, Mind Hertfordshire, Digswell Place Group Riding for Disabled, Defibrillators in Public Places and Digswell Dementia Friendly Community Cafe among others.
Race director Barbara Kubis-Labiak called the event amazing.
She said: "The club is fortunate to have had so many volunteers, runners and walkers turn out to support the event, with friends and families.
"I hope this becomes an annual event at Panshanger Park and am already looking forward to next year."
Chairwoman Jane Molloy added: "I could not have been any prouder of GCR today and the teamwork that made our Welwyn 10k such a successful and joyful event.
"The club is very grateful to our new hosts, Tarmac, who were fantastic partners from the outset, in particular for granting permission to use the park and their sponsorship of the wooden medals.
"They, along with HRJ Foreman Laws and Croudace Homes, were generous and supportive sponsors.
"We had 80 GCR runners, undeterred by the heat, and some magnificent race achievements.
"I was delighted that so many recent graduates of our Couch-to-5k programmes took part and loved seeing the smiling faces of all our volunteers.
"The organising committee worked tirelessly over the last few months to pull it all together and particular thanks go to race director, Barbara Kubis-Labiak, who steered the team with such enthusiasm.
"It has been lovely to hear so many positive feedback comments about how much people enjoyed the day."
Full race results, go to https://my.raceresult.com/235110/results
More information on the club is at www.gardencityrunners.org.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here