Severn Bridge 10k Race Report 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[cheekychipmunks]

Hi everyone. 👋 This is a long one, I apologise 🙏

I’m delighted to report I ran my 6th SB 10k this morning. Each time has been a bit different, including 28 degrees (2019), a time trial (2020) my 10k PB (2021 - never been close to that since 😅), with my daughter (2022), with VRBs (last year) and today an alternative course with strong cross winds. 💨💨💨💨

The reason for the alternative course was roadworks on the Prince of Wales Bridge, meaning they weren’t given permission to close the M48 for us. For that reason there was no HM option today. It was a much smaller event - around 500, although it seemed like more than that.

A mile long walk to the start, which was the first main strut, then we ran the whole length of the bridge with lively buffeting cross wind before peeling off and following a very undulating lane which runs between the two bridges. I noticed how we were running down a particularly steep part and realised it was an out and back ….. 😳 The view of “our” bridge at the turnaround point was beautiful. Wish I’d taken a photo, but I didn’t want to break stride.

We reached the bottom of the steep hill we’d run down and I fully expected to have to walk. Imagine my delight when I didn’t need to! First gear works a treat. 😅 After several more hills, including reaching the “summit” of the bridge whilst being buffeted from the other direction, we then had the downhill stretch to enjoy (albeit still being blown sideways- literally in my case). 💨💨

Then my watch buzzed telling me I’d finished my 1 hour 8 minute NRC workout. What? Numpty alert. 🤦‍♀️ But more was to come. Whilst running, I saved that workout and pressed start for the remainder of the run. Except I pressed yoga instead! 🤦‍♀️ So I have no clue of my 10k time, until the results come in!

Lovely hefty bling, and a massive sense of achievement, running all the hills and letting the wind buffet me around. It was fab, and I’ll be back for my 7th consecutive year in 2025. ❤️

[David_G Metric Marathon]

Well done cheekychipmunks it sounds like you had a great time! 🏃‍♀️‍➡️👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to David_G]

Thanks David_G . Loved every blustery moment! 💨💨💨

[Gthants]

What a magnificent achievement! 10k of yoga is seriously impressive!! (Especially in strong winds!) 👍😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Gthants]

Imagine doing downward dogs and warriors for 10k Gthants ! 😂

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Woof!!! X

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

sounds like you enjoyed it despite your minor technical issues and the wind. You are clearly getting stronger. Lovely bling.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

It was brilliant Shake-and-run . Such a lovely friendly event and the views are wonderful 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Battered but unbowed cheeky! Well done on another tough run completed. Typical cheeky effort; no dramas, apart from the self induced technical failure, but we can gloss over that! Gales, hills, route restrictions, no problem; and much deserved bling at the end. Brilliant work. Substantial meal, couple of glasses of wine and a G&T to finish and you will be ready to go again. Miss perpetual motion! 🙂🏆

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I had a tough time brushing my hair after that Beachcomber66 . Very tousled chipmunk! 😅

Ahh yes, Mr Cheeky is cooking today, and i intend to take full advantage! 😋

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

You mean leave the washing up for him too?😈

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Absolutely right 😂 I’ll say you said so. 😈

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Say it was Stanley Tucci 😂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Congratulations to you CC on running your 6th Severn Bridge 10K, you deserve to be very proud of yourself with that PB🏃✅✅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr , but definitely no PB for me today! Just happy to complete the run. 😀

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

This morning I was a marshall at a new event, it's called "The Palacerigg 10K Trail", it took place on some of the same place as the regular Palacerigg Saturday morning parkrun, 5K more of course, the run was in aid of the charity "Childline", I was a marshall at around 5K on the steepest part of the course, at that point, not part of the parkrun course, I took money with me but because I was a marshall everything was free, free bacon roll and coffee before the run, free tea and chicken burger after the run, the runners had to pay but because I was a marshall the food and drink for the marshalls were free, I had a cowbell with me cheering the runners on, in the cafe at the end a lot of the runners thanked me for cheering them on up that hill

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

That sounds like a great race AlMorr . Do you see yourself taking part one year? Sounds like a friendly race, and the freebies at the end were well deserved. Love a cowbell! 🐄

[AlMorr Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I am not sure if that event was a one off, it's up to the lady who organised it, 5K is long enough for me on that course, the parkrun course doesn't go up that part and later at around 8K on the trail course it gets very boggy, in fact one of the runners called that part a swamp, then the runners cross a field of long grass, so IF it's on next year I once again will be a marshall.

[Oldfloss Administrator]

A blustery, blimey, beautiful run.. huge well done to you! X

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you Oldfloss , I can tell I’ve been out in the wind today, my face looks and feels wind burnt! 💨💨 It was such fun. 😀

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

How wonderful, it sounds a lot of fun and in that wind too 😁 you amaze me 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

You’re very kind SueAppleRun . It was a lot of fun, and my HM training plan has definitely helped with stamina. 😀

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

There’s nothing like a change of course to keep you keen cheekychipmunks , and I’m glad that you enjoyed your day. Hopefully, you will be back to the old course next year though and we’ll come back and join you again. I loved running on a closed motorway! You are stronger this year and took all those uphills in your stride.

Very well done, and beautiful bling.

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

I would imagine it’ll return to normal next year Dexy5 . It would be great if you could come back again, it’s fun as you found out. 😀

I definitely have more stamina at the moment, thanks to Coach B. I was pleased to run the hills today. You’d still beat me hands down speed-wise though! 😅

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Not so sure about that Cheeky.

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Well run cheekychipmunks !!! To run in that crosswind must gave been seriously hard work- Mr W7 and I drove across the bridge this morning while the race was on. It was so windy I nearly lost my glasses and had to close the window .

Looks like that bling was worth it though 🏅 🏆

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

Ahh you should have waved Week7 ! Then again maybe not if your glasses were at risk! 😅 As I drove back over the bridge after the race they’d put a 40mph speed restriction. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they’d closed a lane off, it was crazy! 💨💨💨💨

Definitely good bling. Lovely and heavy. 😍🏅

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It was pretty wild out there. Would have been ironic if that had closed the bridge to traffic because of the wind!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Week7]

It really would! 😂

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on conquering those hills and the blustery wind💪😊! Looks great! ⭐xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks aliboo70 , it was such fun. 😀

[aliboo70 Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

My partner would love to do this one, he's from Wales and moved here from Cardiff,it's definitely on his wish list xxx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I highly recommend it. Hopefully this year’s course was one-off, as it’s such a fun running on the motorway. But today’s course was great too - quite a bit harder though, even without the wind. 😀

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Lovely to read how you seem to take anything thrown at you in your stride. You sound to be full of stamina and strength and a hill muncher too. Wonderful! Your photo looks like you are getting younger too. Six events all feeling different and you wanting to enter next year. Win, win, win, win, win! Many congratulations to you 🌬🏃‍♀️😊🏅

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you for your kind words over61andstilltrying . I’m a lot better stamina-wise than last year as I’ve been working through the NRC HM Plan ahead of Cardiff in October. I run far better with a plan and goal to work towards. 🥰

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oof! Well done Cheeky 👏👏👏

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Loved it linda9389 🥰

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Well done cheekychipmunks ! Fab run report and quite a challenging run by the sounds of it! 💨

Lovely medal too - perhaps this race is going to need a hanger all of its own! 🤣🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandraj39 , a challenge made doable by the fact the wind kept the temperature down! I’m not sure I’d have fared so well if it had been wall to wall sunshine with no wind! I had a fantastic time. ❤️

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

Sounds brilliant Cheeky! Well done. Quite fancy this one myself. Love that bling 🥇 xx

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

You’d love it Mudita11 😀 It’s always on this bank holiday Sunday at the end of August, so have a think about next year! 😀 It’s always good bling (except the tombstone lookalike medal one year!) 😅

[RunWillie Marathon]

Awesome job cheekychipmunks 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Thanks RunWillie ! Still reliving it today - such a great event. ❤️

[Runnin-g Half Marathon]

Well done, sounds amazing!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Runnin-g]

Thank you Runnin-g , it way better than expected 🙏 I wondered how they’d manage without use of the motorway, but they did a sterling job and it was fabulous. 😍

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done - glad you enjoyed it. I must admit I did think of you all while I was sheltered by the canal from the wind and rain! It's only ever going to be exposed on the bridge! I have this on my 'to run' list. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you Cowladyrunning , I thoroughly enjoyed it, not knowing at all what to expect this year. I wholeheartedly recommend it - you’d love it! Let me know when you do! 🥰

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Will do!

[Tessie66 Half Marathon]

Well done on another fantastic run

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Tessie66]

Thank you Tessie66 🙏😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

I really need to do this one one day Munks. It does sound fab.

Your weather conditions sound very similar to mine, definitely a bit blowy 💨 but you got it done and the bling looks gorgeous! Well done 👏

I love the idea of you doing yoga during a race 🤣 maybe it’ll become a “thing.”

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

You must Irishprincess , it’s the friendliest race and the views are epic - let’s not count the PR I did there last winter where you couldn’t even see the bridge due to fog! 😂

Yep, running and yoga. Maybe it’ll catch on!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Right, it’s a date!

[LottieMW]

Well done 👏🏼

Defo on my todo list at some stage, but I don’t think I could manage an organised run…I can’t even manage Park Run! 😬

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to LottieMW]

I bet you’re pretty close to SB aren’t you LottieMW ? I definitely recommend the PR. It’s the friendliest, most inclusive one I’ve done, and hands down my favourite. You’d be made very welcome. ❤️

Same with the 10k. It was such fun. 🥰

[LottieMW in reply to cheekychipmunks]

My local PR is in Cwmbran! I have run it 4 times I think…but mornings have got quite busy…🤷🏻‍♀️

SB is about 26 minutes away…depending on the traffic!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to LottieMW]

Let me know if you can make it one Saturday! 🥰

[LottieMW in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Will do x

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

Congratulations 😀👍👏 Hard work running in windy conditions AND hills!! Well done

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to skysue16]

Ahh thanks skysue16 . I’m just relieved it wasn’t a headwind - I’d have been stationary if it had been! 💨💨💨