Kate Axford stunned a raucous Comeback 5000 crowd, taking victory in her first ever 5,000m race.

Twenty-one Belgrave Harriers completed the third edition of the Comeback 5000 - which is co-hosted by the club - racing in front of a bumper crowd under the lights at Battersea’s Millennium Arena.

But one Belgravian stood out.

A midfielder in Great Britain’s hockey team, Axford returned in earnest to athletics this year and recently joined Belgrave Harriers. 

She has registered a frightening rate of improvement over 5km. Having recorded 17:24 in January, Axford then posted 16:39 in March, before winning in her first track outing over the distance in 15:49.79, edging out Herne Hill Harriers’ Georgie Grgec.

“Last night was epic, an incredible atmosphere created by all of the spectators,” she said.

“It was amazing to be running alongside such talented athletes in my first ever 5,000m. It was a really tough race and I definitely had to dig deep for a win and sub 16.”

Nine personal bests

Just over a third of Belgrave’s finishers secured personal bests. Henry Hart and Ollie Garrod dipped under 15 minutes, the latter getting a PB just five days after completing the London Marathon in 2:22.

‘Flying’ Fin Dyer, Conall McNally and ‘Big’ Rob Kelly were among the sub 16 finishers, while Stephanie Hewitt toed the elite women’s line with Axford, continuing her injury comeback to finish in 17:45. All Belgrave finishers completed the distance in under 20 minutes.

With just two weeks to go until the Surrey championships, a roster of new stars and established faces leave Belgrave looking primed for this summer’s track and field season.

Full Comeback 5000 results via Power of 10

Belgrave finishers:

All seven races can be watched in full on the replay of the live coverage here: