I've done a few different 10k's around the North East and a few other races in other places too, but there's fewer better races to take part in than the Tees Pride 10k. Today was my 2nd running in the race, having pondered doing it for a few years and always being persuaded by the Management (aka the Mrs) that it was too close to the Great North Run.
But last year I ignored her and I was glad that I did - I had a brilliant run and got my 10k pb at 63 mins dead. It was the ideal warm up race ahead of the Great North Run as its usually just a week before the big one.
There's no doubt that Middlesbrough puts on a good show - the organisation of the race is spot on, easy entry on line, pack sent out in good time, all the info you need on where to park etc in a useful book and all at a great value price in comparison to others. On the day is great too as its easy to find where you need to be and at what time plus there's plenty of facilities for when you need them - that's netty's to the uninitiated. There's plenty of stewards and staff to keep you right at the start, around the route and at the finish.
The course is spot on - it's pretty flat most of the way round, but there are a couple of little hills just to test you out. You go round a rectangular route on the outskirts of Middlesbrough and there's a few bits where its a bit lonely as there's no houses, but most of the route is in residential areas and there's plenty of support to keep you going.
They also seem to order the weather too - last year was breezy and cloudy, with this year being a bit warm at the start with plenty of sun but it clouded over a bit and the conditions today were ideal.
My performance was pretty good for me, especially as I've had a couple of injuries that have hindered the training. So I was over the moon to have a little bit of a sprint at the end and finish in 65.14 - just over 2 mins slower than last year, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.
The finish area is well laid out, plenty of space and a bottle of water at first before you get your goody bag with a superb medal and a t-shirt plus various other bits from the sponsors - as I said, it's all great value and a fantastic advert for Middlesbrough.
Running is a great sport and it's great to see all the charity vests on display and people being delighted with their performances and sharing it with their family and friends at the finish. It's a real people sport and the people of Middlesbrough rise to the challenge to run it and support people too. The atmosphere on the course is great and the support from the residents is much appreciated. Today's highlight was being congratulated by a lovely lady as I walked back to the car (wearing my t-shirt and medal) - its that kind of support that proves that the North East is the best place to run and we should shout that to the world.
So well down to Middlesbrough on putting on such a great event today & I'm looking forward to doing it for a 3rd time next year !
But last year I ignored her and I was glad that I did - I had a brilliant run and got my 10k pb at 63 mins dead. It was the ideal warm up race ahead of the Great North Run as its usually just a week before the big one.
There's no doubt that Middlesbrough puts on a good show - the organisation of the race is spot on, easy entry on line, pack sent out in good time, all the info you need on where to park etc in a useful book and all at a great value price in comparison to others. On the day is great too as its easy to find where you need to be and at what time plus there's plenty of facilities for when you need them - that's netty's to the uninitiated. There's plenty of stewards and staff to keep you right at the start, around the route and at the finish.
The course is spot on - it's pretty flat most of the way round, but there are a couple of little hills just to test you out. You go round a rectangular route on the outskirts of Middlesbrough and there's a few bits where its a bit lonely as there's no houses, but most of the route is in residential areas and there's plenty of support to keep you going.
They also seem to order the weather too - last year was breezy and cloudy, with this year being a bit warm at the start with plenty of sun but it clouded over a bit and the conditions today were ideal.
My performance was pretty good for me, especially as I've had a couple of injuries that have hindered the training. So I was over the moon to have a little bit of a sprint at the end and finish in 65.14 - just over 2 mins slower than last year, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.
The finish area is well laid out, plenty of space and a bottle of water at first before you get your goody bag with a superb medal and a t-shirt plus various other bits from the sponsors - as I said, it's all great value and a fantastic advert for Middlesbrough.
Running is a great sport and it's great to see all the charity vests on display and people being delighted with their performances and sharing it with their family and friends at the finish. It's a real people sport and the people of Middlesbrough rise to the challenge to run it and support people too. The atmosphere on the course is great and the support from the residents is much appreciated. Today's highlight was being congratulated by a lovely lady as I walked back to the car (wearing my t-shirt and medal) - its that kind of support that proves that the North East is the best place to run and we should shout that to the world.
So well down to Middlesbrough on putting on such a great event today & I'm looking forward to doing it for a 3rd time next year !
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