Rochdale Kingsway 10k

Distance: 10k (or 9.68 according to the Garmin)
Time: 42:56
Official Chip Time and Position to follow.

Today was the final race in my September 30k Challenge raising money for Leukaemia Research. The Rochdale Kingsway 10k is a new event based at the Kingsway Sports Centre and running track in Rochdale and being used to promote the Kingsway Business Park. I had visions of it being a run round industrial units. I was wrong.

The run was actually quite scenic; after starting with a lap and half of the running track it was off for a quick tour of the local streets before veering off onto what looked like a country lane then under a subway up a small hill, a quick double back then through a park and back the way we came. Upon returning to the sports complex it was another lap and a half of the running track before finishing.

Number 4! Yes, there were more than three other runners...

There were a couple of places out on the course where had there been more runners problems could have arose; a number of gates were designed to stop people taking bikes through which reduced the runners to a slow single file and in more than one place runners were crossing paths with other people further on the course coming the other way. Like I say not a problem with the number of runners out today.

The e-mail I received pre-race advised there was a "significant" hill on the out and back 10k route. I'm still looking for it now. Knowing Rochdale is quite hilly I was expecting something serious. It's only when I got home and noticed the race was organised by a company from down south that I realised they don't know much about hills down there do they?

I'm really pleased with the time I got today. The distance issue is something different all together. A number of other runners I spoke to after the race all had distances of 10k+ on their Garmins, one chap had over 11k! I'm not sure how as there was no part of the course I could have cut and I can't see where others have go the extra from. Either way I worked out that with my average pace of 4:26 had I carried on for the extra 320 meters my Garmin is missing I would still have clocked in a 44:20. Just goes to show what I can do when the sun isn't beating down on me!

The start/finish area shortly before the junior race starts.

This race brings to a close my September 30k Challenge, so far I have raised £355.00 with another £5 being given to my Mum yesterday by a customer in the shop! There is still time to sponsor me at my Virgin Money site - it's open for donations until the end of this year.

I'd like to thank everyone who has sponsored me so far - the money raised will make a difference in the fight to beat blood cancers. Another way you can help which costs nothing to do it joining the Anthony Nolan register. You might be able to save a life and it takes less than ten minutes to register.

Looking forward, my next race isn't until early December when I compete in the Puma Stockport 10 mile race. This is a jump in distance (16k as opposed to 10k) but is a good mid distance before I take on a half marathon next year. I have a place booked for the Great Manchester Run in May '13 and will be booking on the Mad Dog 10k in February '13. A race just up the road that has been twice voted the best 10k in the country deserves a look at! I'd also like to run the Blackpool half marathon in April and then the biggie the Great North run in September '13. It's going to be a busy 2012 so I'd better start training this week...