Richmond 10K Race Report

Sara James reports from the Richmond 10K (that’s Richmond near London, not the one in Yorkshire!)

Richmond 10K: Sunday 19 March 2017

I decided to enter this race a few weeks ago when I knew I had to be in London for work. Always a good opportunity to get out and do some sightseeing whilst running around somewhere new

There was a choice of a Half Marathon or a 10K with the promise of a medal, t-shirt and a Whole Foods goody bag for finishing. I chose the 10K due for ease of checking out!

The start was in Old Deer Park. I’d avoided the parkrun there the day before as it was three laps around a grassy field… Can highly recommend Richmond Park parkrun (but it’s not flat!).

We had a race briefing at 7:50am and were told the last mile or so would be a loop around the avoided field and the grass was a little long and bumpy… Also the second half of the race would be tougher with the wind and terrain so to enjoy the first half!

This was a Salomon sponsored event – organised by Perseverance events (by runners, for runners). Great organisation, lots of communication, secure baggage and facilities at the start.

It was a relaxed 8am start. If you were a sub 40 min person you were told to get to the front otherwise it was “just in your own time.” The course started out along pavements through Richmond and Kew before hitting the towpath at mile 2. I passed a full packet of discarded dark chocolate digestives half a mile in. Bizarre.

A gravelly trail then awaited and a headwind. Glad I’d worn a baselayer, hat and gloves. Spring?! Then there was the race director yelling encouragement from a speedboat going up and down the river! After a couple of miles of the towpath it was back onto the streets before the last mile of XC. At least it was dry! Tough going on this stretch but you could see the finish in the distance. An excellent goody bag from Whole Foods awaited with a nice finishers t-shirt and medal. Would highly recommend if you’re ever in the area!

Sara

Race results can be found here