Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. “I did this fantastic, life changing race which made me remember why running is so much fun. I’ve never done anything like that before!”. Yeah I know, it seems like we do an awful lot of races like that, which was why this week’s races were so pleasant and fun - just running quickly on the roads without much pretty scenery!

New Marske Harriers Autumn Coast Road:

This race can be summed up pretty easily – run as fast as you can! Not that we don’t run as fast as we can all the time, but the 5km distance lends itself to speed and a different type of mental toughness to other distances. The Autumn Coast Road race takes place on the Redcar sea front and is organised by the New Marske Harriers. This is a popular, well organised and simple race with very little frills. The parking is ample on the seafront and in the Rugby Club car park; registration is done either on the night for the reasonable fee of £5 (cheaper if you register for all the race series); and there are changing and showering facilities post race.

The race course is two laps of the sea front and is extremely flat and perfect for those seeking personal bests. There is lots of support from the spectators and the race is very well populated and caters to a wide range of abilities. Considering it’s over quite quick, the course doesn’t get boring, although I have now ran this course over ten times. Well recommended race for those looking to get some speed work in!

Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10k Race:

A very popular race with almost 4000 enteries, dwarfing the Darlington 10k! A well turned out event with superb support throughout the race. The race takes place along the streets of the ‘Boro and the locals turn out in force to support everyone. The race fills up to capacity and there was a massive range of competitors across the field, you would never be alone along the route. The race is well organised with loads of parking and entertainment at the start of the race. Secure baggage holds, loads of toilets and charity stands fill the field at the start. There’s a 3km fun run for those with families and an elite 1 mile race for entertainment!

The race start is unofficially penned into speed groups and is chip timed to make sure that you get your personalised time (which is then sent via text to your mobile). There were three well placed water stops along the course, which were well staffed and stocked.

The course is slightly undulating and it was hot today but that still didn’t prevent many Quakers scoring personal bests! Well done to all of them!

The goodie bag was a bottle of Lucozade away from perfection with a medal, technical top, mars bar and a water bottle – well done organisers!

Overall, a well recommended race, this is how a 10k road race should be organised. No loops, good goodie bag, entertainment and chip timing!