Woop woop, Kirkley Hall Northumberland Big 10 miler done, and a success 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[ChrisAllen1]

Kirkley Hall 10 miler race report - So I got up nice and early even though the venue is only 15 minutes from where I live to chill and get my head straight!!.

2 very strong cups of coffee and a bottle of water later I was ready to go. Kirkley Hall is a funny mixture of buildings, the original hall, stables and Orangery are still there but over the years an outdoor climbing centre, various buildings attached to Newcastle university and a small zoo have been added.

As the runners assembled in the hall there was a huge downpour outside which didn't bode well however it had thankfully past by the time we walked down to the main drive where the race was due to start.

It was hard to estimate numbers but I'm guessing that there were about 600 of us.

The route was all on country lanes which I know well and although none of it was closed to traffic it wasn't an issue as the roads are very quiet on a weekend.

The first part of the route took us towards the small village of Ogle and had some nice downhill sections allowing me to reach 5k in 31 minutes.

As expected all the fast runners had zoomed off into the distance but there were a group of about 100 of us strung out along the lanes but all going at roughly the same pace.

We continued north towards another villiage called Whalton, the fields either side packed with sheep, cows and horses. Although I was going faster than planned I kept my pace up as I felt comfortable and got to 10k in 1 hour 4 minutes, very quick by my standards.

The last 6k were admittedly pretty tough, my pace dropped as we had a few steep climbs and the legs began to go but I soldiered on.

I was very glad to see the line and despite slowing I finished in 1.47.08, almost 4 minutes better than I had done previously for the distance and an average split of 6.42.

The wifey met me and I had a well deserved coffee and soup in the Orangery.

Very very chuffed with that but I'm done with anything over 5k for the next couple of months, it's Park runs all the way in December and January.

Bling photo to follow!!!

Run happy, run safe.

[TedG Graduate10]

Very well done Chris, seems like the perfect run and glad you enjoyed it!

😊🏃‍♂️

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Sounds like a great run. Congratulations on improving your time by so much, especially with the tough finish

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Huge well done Chris!! Really impressive time and lovely bling, brillant

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Amazing effort Chris! That’s a long way in a great time. 👏👏👏🏃🏃🏃 Sounds like a lovely course too (maybe not the hills ...) 😀

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Congratulations on a terrific race Chris. I have to admit, when I saw your comnent on Strava I read it as 4 minutes off (slower) than my best time, but that you were still pleased with it....

Reading your report, I realise you took 4 minutes off your best 10 mile time!😀

What a great year you have had and finishing it so strongly too! 😊xxx

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks so much, will have to re word Strava 😂😂

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Oh its probably just me...doh!😆x

[Hidden]

Fantastic Chris! Very well done !👍💪👏👏👏🏃‍♂️🍾💐

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Awesome race ChrisAllen1, that's a brilliant time too 😁

[MutleyShuffle Graduate10]

Well done Chris, sounds like a fab run and a super speedy time too! 😁👍🏃💪🏅

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Great effort Chris, you should probably have started slower, but that’s much easier said than done 😇 especially downhill!

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

I agree in theory!!! But my legs tend to go after about 13km no matter how slow I go so I thought I would get some quick ones "in the bank!!"

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to ChrisAllen1]

I am hoping to get to 13k for the first time this week - at which point I’ll probably know you’re right 🙄

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

I just try to accept that my pace is going to drop when it happens and plod on!!!