History of Geoff Moulden Wimbledon Ten KM Road Race

In 1961 Joe Brett organised the first Wimbledon Ten. Back then, cinder tracks, simple shoes and cotton and wollen fabrics were the norm. Many athletes had one pair of shoes each and these had to last at least a year, with regular repairs. Coal fires, outside lavatories, no bath room, and hand washing of clothes was de rigour. This made them tough as old leather......



The first TV chef in Britain, Philip Harben, looked and cooked like a Frenchman. Fanny Craddock used food as a class symbol, but also made cooking exciting..To delve further into the history of athleticism, this article donated by the late Dr Stephen Instone of local club, Ranelagh Harriers, tells us the story of the ancient and modern games. Dr Instone's article. "The games were an attractive way of getting men fit"!

Back to the modern era....The athletes were pretty quick and hard work brought the rewards with fast times and strong depth to the fields. Pete Mellor (Ponder End AC) took a decisive win chased by East London athlete Mel Batty (Thurrock AC) who later on became World Record holder for 10 miles and won the Nationals in 64' and 65' with a Silver in the International XC champs in 65. Joe promises to come down to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 2011.

2 years later Geoff Moulden took on the event and it still existed some 46 years later with the same 10 mile undulating 3 lap course. Geoff was involved in helping at the race each year except on one occasion when it clashed with his daughter, Sarah's, wedding. Many people knew he was a qualified track judge but, perhaps less well known was that he was also a qualified starter, timekeeper and coach. Sadly, In 2005 Geoff passed away aged 75. To learn more of the passion and drive Geoff brought to the club please read his obituary..

In memory of Geoff the race now bears his name. The original course starts and finishes within the track remains but increased traffic and street furniture led to a changed course in 2009 and a 10k course due to heavy traffic on the day of rest....As an honoured member of Hercules Wimbledon the club is pleased to be able to continue an equally course in his memory and we look forward to welcoming you to this historic event. Hercules Wimbledon AC have a long history in Athletics. This historical log indicates the early beginnings of HWAC.

The mens course record ovee the 10 mile is held by Bob Holt. His time of 48.10 in 1974 on this hilly 3 lap course would place him 1st in the UK rankings in 2004, 2nd in 2005 and 3rd in 2006. Five years earlier Mike Tagg, 1969 National XC champion ran a close 48.11 earlier in the season. The famous Holt brothers and Tagg pulled back the blistering early pace of Gerry North and entered the arena side by side with 300 yards to go for the closet battle in the history of the race. Tagg took the win and Dave and Bob battled it out for the placings.

The race is not only for the speed demons. Running is a means to an end for all of us. The journey is the same for a 50 minute runner or a 1.50 runner. This year we have many unattached runners and they will be supported just as much as the front end!!

2009 saw an extremely tight battle between Ben Moreau (Aldershot, Farnham & Dist) (31.10) Grzegorz Sobcztk (31.18) and Kojo Kyereme (Shaftesbury Barnet) (31.55).

Abdul-Rashid Abdi (Serps) repeated his M40 win and Claire Grima won the ladies in 39.53.

Hercules Wimbledon athlete (and Cambridge Harrier) Grenville Tuck in a world record race!! 1978 2 mile world record run by Steve Ovett. Rono rips the field apart and Ovett covers it with a 61 sec lap. At the bell Rono goes again, Ovett breaks form Malinosky, the crowd go crazy. Still, Rono stretches it out again, Ovett waits, poised on the shoulder of Rono. The world record holder Rono is flying but the one and only Ovett tightens his stomach and bam, unleashes the speed of doom. The track heats up, the crowd go crazy like a football mob looking for the winning goal. 8.13 for the world record and Foster's record is his! All children should watch these videos 30 times then GET OUT RUNNING!