Race date:  Monday 7th May 2018, report by Andy Woffindin

If you want a very low key local race 10k race then this is the one.

The Dronfield Town FC 10k is part road and part trail, with some challenging ascents (mounds of opportunity) in places. It also provides some wonderful scenery and  really shows off the surrounding area of Dronfield really well.

To get an insight as to what the race was for I asked local Strider Luke Prest who had this to say –

“I marshalled it in the early years when I played for DTFC when it was held in the evening. I think there was a field of around 130 today. Its a vital fundraiser for the football club as well so nice to know your pennies aren’t funding road closures and organisers salaries”

He provided some expert advice on how to deal with the hot weather

“Met Office official advice for hot and sunny days:
Apply factor 20+ sun cream. Wear a hat and drink lots of water.
Seek shade during the hottest part of the day.
Run as fast as you can for as long as you can”

It very much a last minute decision to run this. What else is there to do on a bank holiday when the sun’s out?

It was good to have the support of non-running striders around the course, many thanks Mark Platton, Darren Maher and the ‘Dude’ plus a manic woman running towards me screaming her head off at mile 4 shouting ‘go Wuff’ at the top of her voice (I thought the heat of the sun was playing tricks on me). However,  it turned out to be local girl and Strider Helen Smith who also took the photos so a massive thanks all..

Would I do it again? Definitely, though perhaps if someone could turn the heating down a few degrees. My big boned frame doesn’t like heat at the best of times and throw in a few challenging inclines (mounds of opportunities) and it was never going to be a 10k PB.

Excellent organisation and very supportive marshals on the course plus three very welcome and much needed water stations at the 3,5 and 7km marks.

The male race winner was Liam Walker in a time of 36:58. The winning lady was…  our very own Jennifer Rich, in a time of 43.02 following up her win the previous year and on the back of a fabulous win at the Keswick Half marathon only 24 hours previously.  The one and only iron lady… well done Jen, though special mention to Jacqui Herring who made the podium in third place.

A total of 24 striders turned out for this ( please forgive me if I missed anyone as I picked the info up from the results with the club name on) making up almost 20% of the 130 total runners which again goes to show how big a club we have become and how great it is to be able to support such wonderful and much needed local  causes.

Striders Results:

(Combined results not available)