24th March 2024

Quick report as I don’t think any one has submitted yet- Bright but chilly morning, arrived at ‘free’ carpark which wasn’t actually free, with Kevin Wong, and made our way down to the Queens park, passing over the bridge that forms the last part of the race. As it was cold we gathered in a conservatory type building- there was only a couple of  handfuls  of Striders so didn’t cause too much of a blockage having the photo etc there.

I hadn’t done this one before, but fancied a straightforward  road 10k , as it was a while since Sheffield 10k. It was busier than I expected, quite congested at the start, partly due to us sheltering neshly in the warm building too long, (and completely neglecting to warm up). As I had got PBs recently for Half M and 5 miles, I knew I only had to run consistently to get a 10k PB, but I still felt a bit panicky/ breathless on the first mile, just usual race feelings. First mile was out of the park, Mile 2 and 3 mainly uphill through wide streets. I passed Helen Driscoll who had started off a bit fast and was suffering towards the top of the hill. The 55  minute pacer passed me, but I thought the second half would be better for me, and it was, Mile 4 a nice sweeping downhill, mile 5 a bit twisty and cobbly, and Mile 6 back into the park and a few circling round loops, a bit like at Wombwell where you can see faster finishers finishing. I saw Kevin Haighton up ahead from the bridge, but he saw me too, so I didn’t catch him, cos he sped up.  Managed sub 55 though, so I was pleased with that.

The finish area had plenty of water and free chocolate bars, – hung around for a bit of chatting- William Fu was filming for his You tube channel, so if anyone wants a detailed view of the race and to hear all about what the teenagers of Chesterfield got up to a few years back, then give it a watch! Stink bombs and borrowed Paddle Boats!

So a nice course overall- not totally flat at all, and a bit twisty at the end, but a good warm up for Dronfield, and no Divisional pressure!

Oh yes the car park- the machine spat out the ticket, and quite a lot of people were caught out, because the race instructions clearly told us this was the free car park, when apparently it was the one oppositive. So I might email them and tell them to make sure its correct next year. So we had to back away from the barrier and go and pay.

There were 1084 finishers

First man back was Paul Nind in 34:36

First woman was Hayley Gill in 37:31

Strider results