I had to do this one. Itโs on my doorstep, the funds go to support a local school, the location is beautiful and it was my first 10K race since December 2021!!! Oh, and there was going to be bling ๐คฉ
I didnโt find out until this morning that this was the very first Bolt 10K. There has been a 5K before and this was an option today too. Children are encouraged and it was just lovely to see so many little ones all wandering around with their own bibs and afterwards, with their medals ๐ฅฐ
There were 157 runners for the 5K but only 35 for the 10K! Such a change from Bath where I ran with over 10,000!!! But I love these smaller, local events. Thereโs a real sense of community and a lovely atmosphere, more chilled, than some of the other bigger events.
The route was two laps of grassland and gravel paths, mostly flat so there was sure to be PBs, but not for me. I had done zero training for this so my aim was simply to enjoy it all and get the bling at the end ๐
Military cadets acted as the marshals and it was reassuring to see them on the course because I kept thinking they would all be first aid trained! They were all very supportive and kept us on the right paths.
The route was grassland, meadows, lovely countryside and a few trees which provided much welcomed shade. At one point we turned off track a bit and I recognised the route as one I do for some of my longer runs! So it was lovely to be on familiar ground and know where I was going.
When the sun came out it grew quite hot and I was glad I remembered to put the sun cream and sunglasses on. But I felt my face turn the usual red at about 4K so you can imagine the colour when I finished ๐ฅต You can see it in the finish photo!
Shortly before the end of the first lap, we were running right towards Badminton House * It was a beautiful sight and I wish I had taken my phone to take a photo but I had left it behind this time. For any Bridgerton fans, a lot of filming is done at Badminton and the recent Netflix series, The Gentlemen, was also filmed here, where you can see a lot of the grounds and surrounding parklands.
(Call out for Beachcomber66 ! I didnโt see any filming today โน๏ธ)
But I did see my husband taking photos at the first lap and then it was a quick wave and onto the second lap. At that point I really wanted to stop as I was a tad overheated, but needs must, one foot in front of the other and keep breathing.
For a lot of this route I was on my own. The speedsters were way ahead, but it was lovely as I felt this was just a usual 10K run and I really enjoyed the solitude and beautiful surroundings.
But thank goodness I heard the finish line before I saw it and then it was a final effort to try a sprint finish to cross the line. Hurrah!!! My husband was there to take some photos and a few videos but he was good to capture my relief on this photo as soon as I stopped. Phew!
Someone handed me my bling and I went off to get a banana from someone else. The bling is wooden which is not my favourite but I guess itโs the way forward now and at the end of the day bling is bling!
Time 1:09:28 which was better than I expected considering no training and I stopped twice to drink some water. But I was first in my age category! Donโt tell anyone but thatโs because there was only me in my age category ๐ ๐ But hey I can say it and not be lying ๐ค
In summary, it was a lovely little event and very well organised. I do hope they continue next year. If so, then I can see this becoming one of my โmust do 10Ksโ every year ๐ฅฐ
Now to get started on some proper training. I have two more races coming up in June so letโs get goingโฆ.. ๐โโ๏ธ๐ช๐คฉ
*stock photo from Wikipedia
Amazingly, as we are a fair way away in Monmouthshire, our farm house used to be owned by the Badminton estate - I believe because of links to Raglan castle - fascinating history stuff ๐Nice bling and you do not look red! 
BBB10K - race report
HUHM 10K race report
Royal Berks 10k race report
