Abington 10k - Small races rock!

There are some fantastic races out there, some of them huge with masses of runners but I'd like to give a shout out to the smaller races like the Abington 10k which I ran this weekend.

 

Organised as a annual fundraiser for Great Abingdon Primary School this race epitomises everything I like about smaller but perfectly formed races. Not only are smaller races great fun but they also offer great value with entry to this race only being £13 affiliated £15 non affiliated.

 

Great Abington is very accessible and situated in Cambridgeshire just off the A505. It is an extremely lovely village with all the charm one would expect and a great pub that apparently does very good Thai food!

 

The race car parking was at Granta park, well marshalled with loads of space and a short well signposted walk to the start and race HQ. 

9.45am buzz before a 10.30am race start

When I arrived there was already a lovely buzz around the place. The race had attracted a good range of club runners as well as broad range of people just out to have a good time. This is a real family event with a 120+ runner 2k fun run for kids and adults alike.

 

Tents were set up to easily collect your race number and check in your bag, a massage tent was also available via one of the race sponsors.



Pic courtesy of Jo Frazer-Wise

In the pavilion, well...... I know a lot of runners who have a affinity with cake and if races are judged on the cakes available this one is really top notch!

The course loops around the villages of Little and Great Abington and is flat/undulating with only a 96ft gain and 90ft loss according to my garmin. (The gain seemed more than that to me for the last incline hehe!)

There were 6 runners from my club, Nick, Rich, Phil, Nigel and my inimitable club coach Zo so it was nice to see a collection of our yellow and blue vests amongst the throng.

 

Coach Zo chin wagging pre race

We went for a little pre race jog and some strides and then lined up at the start. Electronic mats were laid out as they had introduced chip timing this year. The weather was fantastic, sunny and a little cool, although it warmed up during the race itself (Or at least I did). The normal pre race ritual ensued, is my watch set? I need a wee, no I don't, yes I do, oh bugger too late, the gun sounded and we headed off.

Nick and Rich near the front of the pack

And boy did we head off, I hadn't raced for a good while and perhaps an age old mistake was about to occur.
The initial part of the run was on a light gravel before hitting the tarmac and heading out of Granta park, my inner sense told me we were flying (well in my terms) I knew almost immediately I was never going to keep up that pace over 6+ miles but nonetheless I kept it going until the end of mile one.
Zo kept looking over her shoulder checking on where I was and slowing herself down so I called ahead for her to run on and set into a slightly more achievable pace.

Heading out of Granta park you turn left onto the main road and the left again onto a smaller road and then lanes as you head towards the villages.
A guy ran up beside me and started randomly chatting, "Takes my mind off what I'm doing" he said, I laughed and we discussed the rugby and how our running doesn't seemed to get any easier. We chatted a while, wished each other good luck and headed on.
I was going ok albeit I was finding it quite tough but had settled into a sort of rhythm I thought I could maintain.

As always seems to be the case with me I suffered a bit of a wobble at the end of mile 4 feeling a tad nauseous and wiped out, however with only just over 2 miles to go it was time to dig in and the great race marshals and villager support helped loads.

Running through Great and Little Abington was lovely I think I could happily live there given half a chance. From the villages we headed back up to the main road turned left again before entering back into Granta park and a well supported dash finish.

Rich (7th) and Nick (12th) had flown round in 36:01 and 37:08 respectively, Zo got home in 51:37 and I ended up a respectable 199th in 54:12.

All done and dusted

We were handed a medal and a bag containing a bottle of water and an energy bar and moved off to recover.

I suddenly noticed my nipple burn, ouch, I hadn't worn my club vest for a while and it is a little rough and I had forgotten to tape up, never mind I thought you'll definitely remember next time.

We chatted and congratulated each other and then the coach insisted we go to the pub for a post race pint, tough ask I know but someone has to do it.

 

We visited the Three Tuns where I was happily introduced to a pint of Adnams Ghost Ship and a packet of ham and mustard Crips, heaven! 

 

 

Summary

 

Organisation - Excellent

Value - Excellent

Course - Mainly road and lanes, short section of gravel and grass, flat/undulating and picturesque (Good for PB hunters)

Water stations - Two

Atmosphere - Welcoming, friendly and inclusive

Cakes - Outstanding

Will I do it again ? - I jolly well hope so, join me ?

 

Thank you Great and Little Abington!

Paul