A stalwart of the Abbots Langley Tough Ten Committee is stepping down after more than 20 years at the helm.
Pat Waterton was working at Langley Travel on the High Street when a customer suggested she get involved in the Tough Ten Committee.
Pat said: “I’m not an athlete – trust me! – but I had just started Langley Travel and it seemed like a good opportunity to make connections in the village.”
After 21 years on the committee, Pat has overseen the race’s growth from a “cottage industry” in which all organisation was done manually, to handing over the reins to a professional race timing company.
Now, Pat says it is time to take a step back and bring in new blood.
She is hoping to use her time to focus on other interests, including managing Kings Langley Community Choir and acting as the membership secretary for Abbots Langley Cricket Club.
Pat has many fond memories of her time on the committee, during which she worked closely with late football manager Graham Taylor OBE.
She said: “Graham always came along and was really appreciative of the great community spirit in Abbots Langley. I remember him saying his family had banned him from ever going on Strictly Come Dancing because he has ‘two left feet’, so I said ‘come on Graham!’ and we had a quick waltz around the car park.”
Pat says her favourite moment in the race is seeing the children cross the finish line.
Tough Ten 2024 will be held on Sunday, October 6.
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