Way back in the Spring when the weather was more clement Lucy Broom, Kate Waddicor, Louise Rowley and I happily reached qualifying positions, first three in each age group, in the England Masters Opportunities Programme to earn the coveted England vest and join qualifiers from all over the country in Newcastle. Last weekend we gathered with a sea of white vests and a smaller Welsh group of red at Town Moor for the annual Representation Race.
The AJ Bell Great North 10k is a shorter version of its companion half marathon run every September. Having never raced in this great city before I was keen to run on the legendary Great North Road and experience the iconic Tyne Bridge turnaround.
Back numbers collected and photos taken we set off on a warm still morning. The first 4.5k is a descent to the city centre and the river. After the turnaround which I believe is in Gateshead a fairly flat stretch of 1.5k gave way to 4.5k of twisty ascent and back, past the University to the open ground of Town Moor for the finish.
Kate, Louise and I were each carrying the usual runners’ niggles, tight glutes, sore ankles and clicky knees but we were really up for this so determined to make the best of the opportunity. There were ten W70 qualifiers and we fancied our chances of a 1-2-3 for the Striders and for England. Sub 50 minutes on a hilly course would be our goal. Obeying the rule not to ‘leave it all on the road’ in the first 5k, we made the descent at a conservative pace aiming to ramp up for the final assault on the road home. It’s hard to be disciplined when you have a lovely curving downhill but I think we stuck largely to the plan. I was straining to look for the other women in my age group so I could keep them close but apart from Louise who was a few meters behind I couldn’t see any. Pushing into the final stages of the run I could really feel the effect of a disrupted training programme which had reduced my usual mileage to a trickle.
Crossing the line as first W70 with Louise right behind at the end was a relief but Kate had struggled with her niggle and took a few minutes to punch through, smiling, 10th W70 to complete her challenge. As a natural marathon runner this had been a tough one for her but to qualify for 10k, half marathon and marathon in the 2025 series was a triumph few of us will aspire to. Lucy, 7th W50, met us, all smiles and congratulations. She had had a very good race against the elite W50 group and was very happy with her improved time.
Making our way back to the England tent the heavens opened, sending us scurrying for cover. A welcome rain shower to sooth our sweaty, aching bodies. Louise and I collected our respective gold and silver awards to make the day memorable for us both.
The race was won by Dean Williamson, England in 30:20 minutes.
First woman was Louise Small, Aldershot and Farnham District AC in 33:35 minutes.
Full results can be found at: www.greatrun.org/results.
