Swaledale Road Runners

We took part in this run at the weekend (Saturday 19th November) hosted by the Border Harriers AC, billed as the UK's oldest 10 mile race and celebrating its 60th anniversary this year (NOT its centenary, as I had informed many!). Mild, sunny weather made for a good starting atmosphere amongst runners from many North East Clubs and several more from north of the border. An organised shuttle service from the great facilities at the Sands Centre in Carlisle to the start at Brampton's High School allowed for quick and easy registration and a swift start at 12.30pm.

This is a road race, predominantly flat and quiet. It is well marshalled with police in attendance at points where we did have to cross busier roads or run short sections on main routes. We otherwise ran on rural roads, through some pretty hamlets and up a few gentle inclines to keep up the interest. The miles seemed to disappear quickly and I personally felt very happy with my time at the 10k mark (why can't I do the same times in 10k races?!). A wonderful, fast, gentle downhill finish over the River Eden Bridge and back to the Sands Centre in Carlisle, where all finishers were presented with high-vis technical t-shirts. Chris 1:29.04, Andy (capable of much faster but ever the gentleman letting me cross the line first) the same.

Chris Sayer