I have run this race twice, 2015 and 2016.  The garmin distance both times gave 6.11 miles, all the race is in woodland under trees.  The course was a little different in 2016 but I don’t know where the differences were other than the finish was harder in 2016.

This year, unfortunately our youngest daughter was ill the night before the race, a nasty virus is going around at the moment.  So our sleep was disturbed.

Normal breakfast (cereal and coffee x 2).  Set off to the race and forgot my Heart Rate Strap which is a shame as I like the post race stats.  Also forgot my SIS gels (I know its only a 10k but I sometimes take one before the start).

Did remember my excellent Montrail off road shoes (you could have just about got away with road shoes).

This Weeks training has been:

Did a mile jogging about and some strides and queued up on the start line.  I started one row back.  By about half a mile I was in tenth place, I was using the terrain to my advantage so trying to accelerate on the descents and working hard on the climbs to keep my pace up.

By about three miles I was closing in on second place and I briefly passed him, we then ran together for perhaps two miles, he was a very encouraging guy to run with and he helped me maintain my pace (he has run a 1:17:35 half marathon).  At about 5 miles (29:00) he pulled away and I had to hold my pace to keep 3rd place, this was very tough.  I managed it and finished with a time of 35:36.  My road 10k PB is 35:25 so very pleased with that!

The winner finished 40 seconds ahead of me, he ran London in 2:33:46, Snowdonia 2:46:14 and recent ran a half marathon in 1:12:04.

2015 V 2016

Special mention to Karen Lynch who came to the aid of a injured runner, so her time reflects that she stopped to help.

Doncaster AC results below: