Tynedale 10k Race Report, 3rd July

Kym Eden reports back from the Tynedale 10k, and provides us with a decidedly ladies’ affair…

With trepidation and fear I found myself amongst 700 hundred runners on a warm summer evening doing the Tynedale 10k in Ovingham. This was my first road event of the running season and having looked at the course I felt certain it would be enjoyable and picturesque.

The first mile was more or less down hill and for those inexperienced runners, like myself, this could easily have been utilised to one’s full advantage.But more experienced members of the club – a certain Kenny Mac and Sparrow Morley – advocated to take this at a steady pace, as a quick burst of energy could be easily used up and to pace for the rest of the route. Initially the start like many races we were all cramped in and on hindsight I wished I had put myself a little more at the beginning, as dodging passed people took up the energy I was trying to preserve.

The course did promise to be serene and there were points where it was. However there were quite a few mini hills especially at the 4-5k point, which led us through a wooded area and into a dark tunnel, along roads and at certain points near the river. A sprint finish ensued with a guy from Heaton Harriers which I used as a marker throughout the run, this serpentine route eventually finished near Ovingham high school with a water station to finish, which was very much needed.

Having not really ran in many races I didn’t think my chances of winning anything was on my wish list, just taking part and enjoying the camaraderie from all the members of TBH was enough for me. To my surprise collectively we did very well, I came 2nd V35 woman with a respectable time of 42.16, with Lucy Matheson coming 2^nd for V40 ladies with a good time of 43.30; we also won for the first women team, with Sophie Marr as our third member, what a bonus.

I would highly recommend this run for anyone contemplating trying a 10k for next year, if anything you’ll enjoy the scenic route that it offers and a pie and pea supper