Thousands of runners have taken to the streets of London for their first mass 10k since lockdown restrictions were lifted. Roads across central London were closed as the runners in the Asics London 10k swept past views of landmarks to the sound of cheering crowds and entertainers who lined the streets. Race director Ian Allerton described it as “an important day for the mass participation industry” as many runners helped raise funds for more than 200 charities in what he hoped would be the start of “a new season of safe running events in 2021.” TV presenter and activist Katie Piper, who was the victim of an acid attack in 2008, officially started the race before stepping out to become one of up to 14,000 runners on the course. Her run was to raise funds for a rehabilitation centre and she later said she had “such an amazing day.” Piper …