The Mallory Park Road Challenge will take place on Sunday March 22nd on the flat and fast course at Mallory Park Racing Circuit. Organised by international athlete Sam Stabler and colleagues James and Gareth at ‘We Who Run’, the races add a rare opportunity for a fast road 5km as well as a quality 10km race in the spring.

The organisers say their test events saw over 65% of participants achieve personal bests and given their experience within the sport we are pretty sure runners will be in for a fantastic event.

Pacers throughout the field

With this in mind, the Mallory Park Running Series aims to provide the friendliest and most welcoming environment anywhere in the UK, for club runners of all levels of ability and provide the best opportunity for all runners to PB.

As such the organisers have got a team of expert pacers to support runners from the front to the back of the field stay on track and crack that 5km or 10km PB.

Focusing on what counts

Entry fees for both 5km and 10km are highly competitive with group discounts for clubs with 10 or more runners available as detailed on the race website.

Races these days tend to be more focused on the medal after than the quality of the race itself, but not here! Swapping a post-race T-Shirt and medal for investment in second to none pre-race facilities. You will get advice before and afterwards from a team of running experts with Sam and his team putting the emphasis back on the running itself, which is refreshing to see.

Wheelchair racing

In addition to the running races the team are putting on a 5km wheelchair race with the aim of seeing the biggest ever mass participation wheelchair event that the UK has ever staged. The race is aiming to top the 289 competitors who took part in an event in Dubai last year, which is currently the officially recognised world record.

The venue is fully equipped to cater for the needs of wheelchair participants, with ample parking, changing and toilet facilities, as well as a sizeable area close to the start/finish lines that will serve as an ideal changeover area for those who wish to participate in a race chair as opposed to their own day chair.

As a self-contained, professional motor circuit, the surface for tyres is as close to ideal as can be found and the obvious health and safety benefits that a private, well marshalled track offers, will hopefully offer complete piece of mind to those using our event as their first experience of a mass participation event!

You can sign up to the races on the Mallory Park Road Challenge website and we look forward to covering the results and PBs as they come in.

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The post Mallory Park Road Challenge set for PBs over 5km and 10km appeared first on Fast Running.

The Night of the 10,000m PBs was another pageant of 10km racing. The noise of the crowd is still ringing in our ears. The inspiring performances from the likes of Steph Twell and Ben Connor is still fresh in our minds. So what better time is there to think about setting yourself a goal 10km?

In this article we summarise some of Europe’s best 10km opportunities in the autumn and winter. It’s not an exhaustive list so be sure to get in touch and shout about the races you’ve PB’s at and would recommend.

If you want top tips on how to run your best 10km race then check out our recent article.

Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash – Leeds, UK (October)

The ‘Abbey Dash’ has been a firm favourite of British PB hunters for years. A quick glance at the top 100 10km road rankings on the Power of 10 and you’ll soon realise that alongside Telford 10km this is one fast race!

With changes to the course in 2019 it is expected to be even quicker this year. The out and back route follows the flat course of the River Aire taking in Kirkstall Abbey. Like Telford, however, it is the density of fast runners taking part that makes this race such a hit.

Check out more on the race here

Tilburg 10km – Tilburg, Netherlands (September)

Tilburg 10km takes place on the same day as the famous 10 mile race of the same name.

The flat fast 10km course however attracts a high qaulity field. The separate elite women’s race has seen some spectacular performances over the years including the course record of 30:30 set by Tirunesh Dibaba in 2013 and Shalane Flanagan who broke the American record here with 31:03 in 2015.

The Dutch have a fantastic pedigree of putting on super fast races with great support for elites including Dam tot Damloop and Parelloop 10km.

All the details on the Tilburg 10km can be found here

Telford 10km – Telford, UK (December)

The depth of quality is what makes Telford special. In 2018 49 men ran sub 31 minutes and a 34:00 clocking saw you finish 192nd. The qaulity of the women’s times reflects the depth of the race too with 12 women breaking 35 minutes and 59 breaking 40 minutes.

Track back through the videos and social media posts of previous years and you’ll know to expect a lightening quick start. Find your train and hang on!

The December timing works well for many runners, with the endurance from cross country season beginning to bed in this is one of the last opportunities to crack a PB and hit the new year on a high.

Check out the Telford AC website to enter

2018 Leeds Abbey Dash. Photo credit: Leeds Abbey Dash

Ladywell 10,000m – London, UK (September)

If you were inspired by the Night of the 10,000m PBs and fancy a crack yourself the Ladywell 10,000m could be just the ticket. Organised by Kent AC, who know a thing or two about distance running, this event is becoming an increasing popular option for athlete’s wanting a high quality track race.

Taking place on the beautiful track at Ladywell Fields the event sees seven seeded races across the day. With music, food, pacemakers and a brilliant family atmosphere this is a proper celebration of 10,000m running.

Paul Martelletti and Katrina Wootton (who ran 31:45 here in 2017) have been winners in recent years so if you are looking for fast times you are bound to have company to help get you there.

The details on all the races can be found on the Kent AC website

Corrida de Houilles – Paris, France (December)

Julia Wanders broke his own European 10km record in the 2018 edition of this famous race running 27:25.

Naturally the course is fast, but it does have a few undulations as it works its way around three laps of the Paris suburb. The race has an excellent atmosphere with locals coming out to support creating a real buzz in the town centre which is easily accessible by train from central Paris.

The separate mass participation race takes place earlier in the day with elite race starting at 16:30. This just adds to the atmosphere with many of the runners from earlier in the day staying on, often with a drink or two in hand, to see the elites battle it out.

Last year four British men broke the 30 minute barrier here and in 2017 Ben Connor ran 29:03, Rosie Clarke 33:04 and Katrina Wootton 33:33.

Taking place at the end of December it’s not a bad place to stay on and bring in the New Year either!

Check out the race website for all the details on the mass participation and elite races

Valencia 10km – Valenica, Spain (December)

Taking place on the same day as the increasingly popular Valencia marathon this is a race made for fast times.

Valencia brands itself the ‘city of running’ and over the last few years some of the spectacular times we’ve seen here seem to back that up. With the world half marathon records for both men and women set in Valencia it’s a city that knows how to set up a fast race.

The 10km is no different. With long stretches of straight, pancake flat road the final 1km is invitingly downhill leading to the spectacular finish outside the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias.

There is good support offered for international elite athletes and travel is easy from major airports in the UK.

For all the details on the race and how to enter click here

Runners in the sun at the start of Valencia 10km. Photo credit: Tom Craggs

Cardiff 10km – Cardiff, UK (September)

Wales’s biggest 10km race takes place at the beginning of September each year. Run by the same team who organised the World Half Marathon Championship when it took place in Cardiff the race is perfectly set up for quick running.

With past winners including Dewi Griffiths (29:10 – 2018) and Lily Partridge (33:27 – 2018) Cardiff 10km attracts some top athletes looking for a fast early race.

The flat single lap course is blessed with very few twists and turns and attracts some good local support to cheer you on your way.

The Cardiff 10km website can be found at this link

San Silvestre Vallecana – Madrid, Spain (December)

Another race allowing a good New Year party is the San Silvestre Vallecana in Madrid. The prestigious race has taken place on New Year’s Eve since 1964 with up to 40,000 runners taking part in two races.

The elite race has seen course records set by Paula Radcliffe (31:16) and Jacob Kiplimo. Kiplimo’s time of 26:41 is the fastest road 10km ever run but the net downhill course does not allow for it to be an official world record.

To get into the ‘elite’ race (which has 1000 places) you’ll need to have run inside 39 minutes if you are a man and 45 minutes if you are a woman.

Click here to enter one of the world’s fastest races

Birell 10 km Race – Prague, Czech Republic (September)

The annual Prague Grand Prix is part of the excellent Run Czech series of races which offer good support for travelling international elite athletes.

Four of the top 10 fastest women’s times in history have been run here and it has by far the most sub 28 men’s times of any race in the world. Joyciline Jepkosgei set a new womens world record here of 29:43 in 2017.

Aside from being about the fastest race on this list the race has a unique atmosphere. Taking place at twilight in one of the most beautiful cities in the world no matter how your race goes you’re likely to have a great weekend here.

Check out all the details on the Prague 10km and the other Run Czech races here

We Run Rome 10km – Rome, Italy (December)

As if you didn’t have enough fast New Year choices already here is another! Taking place on New Year’s Eve the We Run Rome 10km is now in it’s ninth edition.

With nearly 10,000 runners taking part there is something for everyone, especially those hunting fast times. The 2018 race saw winning times of 31:46 from Lonah Chemtai Salpeter and 29:05 from Daniele Meucci.

The We Run Rome website has all the details you’ll need to enter

Ben Connor & Callum Hawkins @ Corrida de Houilles 2017. Photo credit: Tom Craggs

Foulees Monterelaises 10km, Montereau-Fault-Yonne, France (October)

With records of 28:16 and 31:28 the course is fast and the field is strong. The 2018 edition of the race saw 106 men run sub 35 minutes. Whilst the depth of the women’s field was not quite as strong with 14 women inside 39 minutes it’s clear the race allows the opportunity for quick times.

Montereau is a pretty town that sits on the confluence of the Seine and Yonne rivers. It’s a little over an hour’s drive South East of Paris. The location of the race beside the two rivers allows for a fast two lap course.

As with all French races you’ll need to have a stamped letter from your GP or sports doctor to confirm your readiness to race.

The race website gives you all the details on the course and how to enter

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The post Winter wonders: your guide to Europe’s best 10km races appeared first on Fast Running.

Hellen Obiri makes her debut over the 10km. The world 5,000m and world indoor 3,000m champion is expected to perform well over the longer distance after her World Cross Country Championship victory this year. Ruti Aga could be threat having won this year’s Tokyo Marathon and Edna Kiplagat will undoubtedly challenge with a best of 31:06.

In the men’s race Ugandan Kiplimo has run the fastest road 10km of all time with 26:41 but the downhill nature of the Madrid course means he is not the world record holder. Kiplimo comes into the race having finished second in the World Cross. A leading challenger could be former New York Marathon winner Stanley Biwott who is a bit of an unknown quantity with little high level racing over the last year.

Goolab in Flying Form

The race includes some excellent depth when it comes to British runners. Nick Goolab arrives in Manchester riding high after his 13:34 5km at Ipswich Twilight last weekend. The Belgrave man has a best of 28:22 also set this year when winning Brighton Marathon 10km.

European 10,000m silver medallist Andy Vernon is on the start list but suffered an injury in the build up to the Virgin London Marathon. Vernon, who has a track best of 27:42, posted a tweet on the 7th May saying he had been undergoing shockwave therapy and “hopefully I can be running completely pain free in the next couple of weeks.”

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Jack Gray is another Brit arriving at the race in top form. The England 10km international ran 13:47 to finish 4th at the Ipswich Twilight 5km and recently ran a 10km PB in Brighton of 28:57. Under 23 Emile Cairess will be expecting to take a good chunk off his road PB having run 28:48 on the track in April.

The start list also features GB and England athletes such as Dan Studley, Dejene Gezimu and Alex Teuton. Sub four minute miler Ieuan Thomas will be looking to better his PB of 29:13 set at last years Telford 10km.

Twell to Challenge

Steph Twell is likely to be the leading British challenger and is coming into the race in great form having set a 10km PB of 31:57 to win Brighton Marathon 10km. Having recently been selected for the World 50km Championships Alyson Dixon races a month after finishing 16th at Boston Marathon.

Mhairi MacLennan will be a strong challenger having finished second to Twell in Brighton with a new PB of 32:59. The Helen Clitheroe coached athlete finished 32nd at the World Cross in March and arrives in fine form. Third on the UK all time list Gemma Steel races as does Inter -Counties XC Champion Jenny Nesbitt. Having spent time away training in the US Nesbitt recently ran a strong 32:46 at the Payton Jordan Invitational.

Strong Club Times Expected

This is a mass participation race on 10km course but also half marathon and quick times are expected over both with conditions looking ideal. Over 30,000 runners are expected to start on Sunday in what is one of the most popular running events in the UK.

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The post A strong British challenge at the Great Manchester Run 10km appeared first on Fast Running.