With this particular event taking place in my home town, I
didn’t need to hesitate to enter this 10K. I had heard great things from
friends and fellow runners about this race and as it takes place over the May
bank holiday weekend, why not head home for it!
Bayer 10K is organised by Newbury Athletic Club, with the
sponsor being UK science researchers, Bayer. The race draws in around 1000
applicants, who gather in the market place for the start of this part road/part
trail 10K.
Now, make note of what I just described this course as.
Don’t be fooled into thinking it is a smooth sailing run. What you will
experience is plenty of undulating parts combined with road, field, trail and
towpath running. Sounds like a right mix I know, but it really is a fantastic,
varied course.
The very beginning takes you down the town centre where you
take a left turn and head up the hill alongside Bayer HQ. This hill looks steep
but I didn’t find it too challenging to get up. This also is the only major
incline in the race so its good to get it out the way.
Next you head up narrow residential streets (with some
rather nice houses to gawp at) to a field, which I found rather random. This
part was most knackering as the grassy terrain was a little uneasy underfoot
and was on a slight hill. This however doesn’t last too long and then you are
out by the Newbury Bypass.
You then head across a bridge over the dual carriageway and
take a secret hidden turn (which in the 18 years I lived in Newbury, I never
knew existed!) down a very steep track. From here on, you are in trail running
mode. I’ve never done a trail run before so this was a shock to my system and I
felt wiped out when I reached the 5K mark.
After a good two miles running along rocky, muddy terrain
you then pop out by the town’s leisure centre and you are back on road again
(phew!). This takes you back out to the town centre where you are greeted by a
wall of whoops and cheers before you turn back on yourself up towards the
towpath along the canal.
As I always like to say, when it comes to races along a
canal, make sure you get all your over-taking done beforehand as the paths can
get very narrow and you do tend to fall into single file running.
At this point, I was shattered and I could tell I wasn’t
having a good race. It was also a very hot day and there weren’t as many water
stations along the course as I expected (one at mile 2 and one just after 5K).
Dehydrated, exhausted and quite honestly, irritated at my weakness, I began to
feel rather ill and could have quite easily dropped out at the 8K mark.
However, after seeing my best friends mum standing by a bridge along the canal,
her encouragement and compliments spurred me on and I, rather slowly, carried
on up the path. When we reached the end of this part, we looped round onto a
long main road, which lead us back to the town centre. I have never felt so
relieved to see a finish line and I managed to find some speed in my legs to
churn out a mini sprint finish.
As soon as I crossed the finish line, I had this automatic
thought that I hated this course. It wasn’t until I had collected my medal,
spoken to fellow runners and recovered from the experience that actually, it
was a really fun event. Not once did I feel bored along the way and finding it
so challenging has made me want to return to try and smash my time from this
year.
For a small local event, it was great to see organisers
handing out medals and goody bags. Personally, I also had a fabulous day out
with my running pals. Here is a snap shot of how I felt at the end (with my best friend). This photo
sums up a good vibe, despite my feelings throughout the race.
Any setbacks? Not really. As with smaller races, toilets are
limited and in this particular case, non-existent. However, nearby restaurants
and coffee shops are welcoming to runners using their loos and everywhere you
go there is friendly, helpful face. If there was any feedback that I would like
organisers to consider, it would be adding an extra water station before the
canal. If, like this year, it’s a hot day hydration is key and I personally did
struggle not having a quick slurp of water after the halfway mark.
RACE OVERVIEW
Course: 3/5
Scenery: 4/5
Facilities: 2/5
Water Stations: 2/5
Medal & goody bag: 5/5
My time: 49.31 (May 2014)
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