Runners run in front of a stately home surrounded by manicured gardens

GoFundMe Richmond RUN-FEST will be welcoming yet another Olympian back to Kew Gardens on the 9th September. American marathon runner Jacob Riley, who finished 29th in the Tokyo Olympics, will be leading the pack at the upcoming Kew Gardens 10K.

Riley has a marathon personal best time of 2 hours 10 mins and will be using the race as preparation for the upcoming Berlin Marathon. Riley will be joined by thousands of runners over the weekend at South West London’s largest running event.

“I’m looking forward to running round Kew Gardens in the build-up to Berlin Marathon on the 24th September. During the lockdown I watched the British Olympic Trials event so I know the course is fast, flat and beautiful.”

Richmond’s annual two-day running festival is back for its 11th year and will have a total of 7,000 runners competing in various distances including a family and kids mile race in Old Deer Park, Richmond.

The weekend kicks off on Saturday 9th September with the Kew Gardens 10k followed by the Richmond Half and Full Marathon on the Sunday morning. The kids and family mile will finish off the weekend, and will hopefully inspire Britain’s future Olympians.

Tom Bedford, Race Director, said: “We’re looking forward to celebrating our 11th year and continuing to be South West London’s largest charity fundraiser. This year our kid’s and family mile moves to the Sunday so we’re in for an action-packed finish to the weekend. We still have places in the 10k, half and Mile races so there’s still time to join us!”

For more information, please visit www.run-fest.com