Westonbirt House Christmas 10K Race Report 🎽🏃‍♀️🏅

[Irishprincess]

I did this race on Sunday (sorry the report is a bit late 😊)

This was my fifth time at this event and, on the way, I remembered that I was there for their very first one eight years ago. At that time there were about 200 runners; on Sunday there were just under 1,000! It’s very popular and entries go quickly. Not surprising when you consider it’s a fairly flat route along lovely country roads, it’s very well organised with lots of lovely marshals and the bling is always fabulous!!! It’s also great fun with runners dressed up in all sorts of Christmas gear from Santas and elves to fairies and I even saw a few Christmas puddings 🤣 The atmosphere is always festive and a whole load of fun so what’s not to love? Did I mention that the bling is always fab too?

This event is not to be confused with those at the arboretum which is across the road. Westonbirt House is a private school and we are lucky to be able to run around the grounds a little and finish in front of the beautiful building. And unlike previous years, this year we didn’t have to run up some steps just before the finish line 🥵 I always thought that was a bit cruel 😩

Anyway, back to Sunday. The weather was perfect. Calm, dry and no wind with a nice running temperature. A 12 o’clock start which is nice too. It’s a short drive for me and Mr IP came with me this time to cheer me on. I hadn’t run a 10K distance since August after I hurt my knee gardening and recovery was very slow so it was always going to be a careful run for me. Six weeks ago I thought about pulling out thinking I wouldn’t be ready, but I’m so glad I stuck to the gradual build up. The bling was far too tempting to walk away from! Have I mentioned the bling before?

As I’d done this run several times I didn’t even check out the route beforehand so imagine my surprise when we started off facing a different direction and it wasn’t long before I realised that we were going a different way to what we normally do! And that meant running up a few little hilly things rather than running down them 😊 Hey ho, it keeps things interesting.

It was a pretty uneventful run, two laps which I took at a nice steady pace and then over the finish line to claim the much coveted bling 🤗 It’s 2D and the snow in the background falls down just like proper snow 🌨️ I love it 😍

Time wasn’t too shabby at under 70 minutes and the knee behaved so, all in all, a great run and a good omen for a niggle-free start to a new year 🏃‍♀️ whoop whoop!!!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

That sounds like a fabulous run.Well done for sticking with it and beating the odds.

And the bling? Oh my, oh my!!! I have serious envy for that medal 😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Once I got the email and photo of the medal I had to enter! They always feature the building on the medal and then add different Christmasy features like a Santa, holly, a sleigh, etc. They also have Easter and summer events here too if you’re interested. Just saying…

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Interested? You bet I could be tempted by a medal like that 🥰

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

I can see an HU meet up opportunity here…..

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Now there’s a thought…

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I see the Easter one is 18th April, but I may be in Canada then. Haven't found a date for summer for 2025, although it looks like it was August last year. I will probably be in the UK in August, but generally speaking next year is a bit mad for me!

[Dexy5 10 Miles in reply to linda9389]

A bit close to Monsal Trail I think.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Maybe Christmas next year is the one then! You’ve got all year to plan your outfit 🎅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Yep ... and I'm likely to be in the UK too!!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Perfect!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

There’s a HM later in the year too..

[RiceAndPeas Marathon]

Hooray, return from injury complete and a good time whilst wearing a Santa hat. Well done you! You really should have mentioned the bling though, it's fabulous! 😂

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to RiceAndPeas]

I knew I forgot something! 🤣

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

But was there any bling and what was it like?😉🤣🤣

Seriously, well done on your return to 10k Irishprincess .👏🙂🏃‍♀️ The setting sounds fab and what a truly beautiful piece of bling🏅 - ribbon and all! No wonder this event sells out. 🙂🏅🎄

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Didn’t I say? Ooops 🤣

It’s always such a relief to get that 10K distance done again after a period of injury. But then you know about that too Sandra! Onwards and upwards.

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I do indeed! And am still here running!🙂

[Shake-and-run Half Marathon]

not too shabby by far! Great running, great event, great report and the bling is quite nice too (I love it!!).

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Shake-and-run]

Thanks Shakes, a great day all round 😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Very Well Done Irishprincess . I think that’s just the best bling ever and you would have been so miffed to have missed out on that beauty. 70 mins when you were working up to it again is brilliant in my books.

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. I have shown it to every visitor we’ve had here since 🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

🙂 I love your finishing pose; perfectly balanced🩰 ! And, that was a superb comeback 10k…and yes, I have to agree that the bling looks very attractive.

I think that there is something wrong with me; I find that I don’t really treasure bling at all, or not for long anyway 🫣. Not that I have won many medals, in fact I haven’t run in many races! I like the idea of meeting up; but the medal admiration bit is short lived and they swiftly end up in a cabinet where they are eclipsed by owls, bears, moose and other reminders of our travels.

So, in the New Year I will be working hard on sorting out some races for 2025.

Main thought; great that your knee behaved. Time you had a niggle free year.🤞🤞🤞🥇

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

I need to lift my eyes when I cross finish lines! I notice that I mostly seem to look at the ground!

There’s nothing wrong with you BC, we’re all different and there are lots of runners who aren’t fussed about the bling. Whatever your motivation is, that’s the key isn’t it?

I’m very pleased about the knee 🙂

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

“ …… don’t treasure bling at all ….. “ Sorry, what Beachcomber66 ? 😳

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know!

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I know; worrying! I may be in a post materialistic phase….maybe it will pass….😵‍💫

[TailChaser Marathon]

Keeping you on your toes there IP! Well done! 👏 I know a few people who did it with you and that bling is to die for!! It’s not so far for us to come next year…  Katnap ???

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Oooh definitely a meet-up then TC!!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Not far from me either. I felt a pang of FOMO. When do entries open for next year then? 😈

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Absolutely!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I got an email in July so I’ll keep an eye out in 2025 and let you all know 👍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

I’m surprised you like that bling IP; it’s not very nice at all ……… as if!! It’s gorgeous, and I don’t blame you for not listening to the pulling out gremlins!

Really well done! And kudos to all those dressed up. The mere thought of running as a Christmas pudding …. 🥵😅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I knew you’d love it too Munks 😍 What’s not to love? Even the ribbon is gorgeous 🥰

[Oldfloss Administrator]

What a sassy medal x A super run, a super location and a super Santa runner !!! xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

One of my favourites Floss 😍 xxx

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Well done! I saw this race mentioned by our run club so must be on the list for run club promotion too. It always sounds a great race. Did you see Relish races have just advertised a new one from them at Badminton House around the estate? I entered! 🎅

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Yes I did! I’m tempted too. Did you enter the HM?

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Sorry late reply... No it was the 10k entry for me

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

It will be a lovely route 😍 I might still do it too.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

That'd be great 😃

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Well done Irishprincess , what beautiful bling that is! 🥰 xxx

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Thanks Ali, it really is a lovely one 😍 xxx

[drl212]

You always know where to find the best bling.

I think we need a new regular post - The Bling Alert - to tell us about all of these magnificent medals!!

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to drl212]

Now there’s an idea! 🙂