Draycote Water 10k Fun Run and Walk for Cancer Research UK
Thursday 22nd June 2017 – Race Report by Kelvin Elliott
I found out about this run from Mark Williams whose company were facilitating this run with the added bonus of a burger to everyone who completed the course. As it was a mad rush from work and trying to beat all the traffic for the 6pm start. I had my timings slightly out as I arrived at Draycote Water Reservoir at 5.55pm. I parked up and was joined by Rach Hogg and Alanna Pennell. We headed to where the start was as we got the boat house, we could see the runners lining up about half a mile in the distance. The course was running the opposite way around the reservoir and instead of running up the big hill we would have the opportunity to run down it later. So we had to start our running straight away to try and catch everyone up.
One bonus was that the temperature was a 10 degrees cooler from Wednesday night although it was roughly 21C and sun was shining over the water. We set off quickly to try and catch the runners up ahead of us, as we were getting nearer the start the runners seemed to be moving away from us which indicated the race had started. Myself Rach and Alanna kept running at a good pace, we quickly approached the start and I shouted out to the race organiser that we will pay at the end of the run which he gave us the thumbs up, My original plan was to push hard to try and get a quicker 10k than the Two Castles but that went out of the window and it was plan B to enjoy the run and look at it as a training run.
We passed the starting point and I spotted 3 Massey vests in the distance so myself, Rach and Alanna started to close them down, we soon caught up with Sally, Cal and Helen, we had a quick chat as we passed them. As we passed them we soon got to the first water station which was greatly received as it was a warm night. We caught up with other walkers/runners as we started to knock off the miles. As we approached the half way mark we caught up with three more Massey runners who were running as a pack Lisa Kenny, Bev, and Sonia. We had little chat as we did the final 5k. We overtook the Massey trio and soon made it to the back of the boat house and a nice downhill slope when we approached mile 5 and we had a big loop to do. As we were starting the loop we saw Dean Clarke who had finished and informed us that he had won the run so it was Massey victory.
The last mile seemed tough as my legs were tiring as we were running towards the sun and we could see runners heading towards the finish line. We looped back and we had a nice breeze to run into. We made good progress towards the finish line as Lisa, Bev, and Sonia overtook us. As we approached the finish line we linked hands and crossed the line. There was no medal, T-shirt but a Burger to look forward too. We then we waited for the Massey Golden Girls to finish (no offence to Sally, Helen and Cal). There was 10 Massey runners who took part Dean lead from the front and the rest of us ran in packs of three hunting down the other runners and walkers.
It was a fantastic evening it was well organised for a great cause of Cancer Research. I really enjoyed my run although it wasn’t my fastest 10k it was having great company and support running around Draycote Water. I will definitely recommend this run for next year.
