McCain’s Yorkshire 10k Scarborough 11.10.09

There was no problems for Caroline or myself to be up early for this race in Scarborough, Robert was already awake for 6am, so it was just a case of getting our kit on and sorting the 1001 things you need when taking a baby anywhere (all parents will know what I mean) I loaded up the car with bags and buggy and off we went to sunny Scarborough, though I did not realise how far away it was from Darlington. Though the journey was fine until the Satnav had a nervous breakdown because the road it wanted to take was shut, because of the race. So after a bit a guide tour of the back streets of Scarborough we found the Spa, but had to park further away from the start than we really wanted to., because of this we had a 10min power walk to the Spa to collect the Race chip.

The Spa

The hall was well set up with numbered tables corresponding to your race number where you collected your champion chip and more tables for bag storage and also an area for pre & post race massage and there were plenty of toilets but no changing facilities

The course

The race is a straight out and back course along the coast road starting & finishing at The spa (south beach)going passed the amusements and the castle up to the north beach before a u turn and back down the other side of the road.

The race

The start area was quite congested with over 800 runners and a lot of spectators, the race started right on 10:00am with Sally Gunnell sounding the hooter, before competing in the race, the pace was a slow at the start with everyone having to squeeze though the start/finish banner to cross the timing maps. I started near the back with Robert in the buggy, trying to avoid runners legs as the first km was quite slow once the field started to break up with the marshal’s getting the runners to use both sides of the road, right from the start the support was really good plenty of clapping and Robert was getting loads of cheers from the younger spectators. After about 3k the tarmac changed to cobbles which was an effort for me to push the buggy, but Robert enjoyed all the bouncing about .At 4k there was a slight incline at which I achieved the ultimate runners dream we overtook Olympic finalist Iwan Thomas and Olympic champion Sally Gunnell, Robert gave them a wave as he cruised past , we had now settled in to a 5min Km pace, The front runners were already on their way back with the winner clocking a sub 32min, at the turn round point at 5 km I thought I would get the benefit of the sea breeze we had been running into, no such luck as always the wind the changed direction but with course being slightly down hill to finish. I was very pleased with the sub 50min time though Robert thought we could have been quicker if had used the slick tyres instead of the intermediates. There were plenty of helpers giving out water and bananas while you queued for a cotton t-shirt and a disappointing goody bag no sweeties only leaflets’ and information on Scarborough though the bag is reusable.

Conclusion

I will defiantly be including this race again in next year’s 10k leagues, would make good club trip

Pros

• Very fast course definite PB possibilities
• CampionChip (so correctly timed)
• 2 water stations on the course
• Traffic free and very well marshalled
• Good parking
• Great support on the whole course
• Plenty of Toilets
• Baggage storage
• Post race services
• Fish n Chips and the beach afterwards

Cons

• No changing /showers facilities
• Cotton Tee (should be technical now days)
• Poor goody bag