Frieth Hilly attracts Team GB runners

GREAT British athletes of the past, present and future featured in this year’s Frieth Hilly.

The 10km race was won by 23-year-old steeplechaser Pippa Woolven, from Medmenham, who made the Team GB athletics senior team this year.

The other runners included Alex Danson, from Marlow, who won an Olympic gold medal with the women’s hockey team in Rio in the summer.

And the prizes were presented by Olympic rowing gold medallist Zac Purchase, whose fitness business was one of the event sponsors.

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Click here to see more photographs of the event and the runners.

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More than 300 runners took part in the race in heavy rain on Sunday morning.


Woolven, who won in a time of 36 minutes and 40 seconds, only entered on the day.

She said: “I just turned up and was so glad I did because I’ve always wanted to do it but never managed it. I’m usually either out of the country or at university. The course was amazing, especially in the mud but it was a bit slippery in parts. “The first downhill section was incredibly treacherous but apart from that it was really good.

“I was hoping to be the first lady but it’s an added bonus to come first overall.”


After crossing the line, Danson said: “I’ve done it a couple of times before so I know it’s a great event and I saw it was on again.

“When I woke up in the morning and it was chucking down with rain I did think twice about running but in fact it was really good fun. It helps keep me ticking over while I have a bit of a break from hockey.” Purchase said: “It’s a really good local event and so many people get involved.

“It’s one of the last events before Christmas where people can set a time, then go away and have a break before returning to running after the holidays.”

For the full story, pictures and results, see this week's Henley Standard.