Market Drayton 10km 7.5.17

Rather than write an original and witty Race Report I have decide to revisit my original report from 2015 when I ran this race to see how is has changed.

Run, run as fast as you can, you can’t catch me I am the gingerbread man!  No need to catch him, he is on your medal and in the goody bag!  TRUE and very tasty!

After seeing Anne-Marie and Dave’s stash of goodies from last years race – Mary was keen to race this year – got to love a girl that likes a pork pie!  So I signed us both up, and we were join by 8 other Massey Runners, which for a race that took us three times longer in travel time than running time.  It had better live up to its billing from Runner’s World readers as the best 10km race in the UK. (2012 onwards!) Mary still loves a pork pie even a small chunk as an aid station in a marathon so the reason to run remained this year 18 Massey Runners made the long journey to race. 

Market Drayton has really thrown its weight behind the event, turning the school into a running festival with shorter races for children and adults before the main 10km (Next Year I must do the Costa Run!) the school field had stalls selling running paraphernalia and food – but no beer tent! An oversight I feel! Each year the support from locals on the route gets bettter and better – due to the turn in the weather many set up small water stops or set hoses spraying out on route for a quick shower to stay cool – very welcome.  The oversight of the beer tent has been fixed this year – and the free half pint voucher could be redeemed there, next door a cocktail stand was up and running!

It feels odd picking up your t-shirt before the event, but it provided a great meeting point for the red and whites, also an opportunity for Dave to show off the canteen wares – are you in sales? – and for me to be led astray with a last minute prerace nutrition chocolate flapjack! The race t-shirts are actively encouraged to be worn in the race – with spot prizes to some lucky souls.  The range of wares on sale increases each year – unfortunately I wasn’t quick enough to get in a short queue for an ice cream…

Apart from the first and last 500m around the school playing fields the race runs through and around the town on closed and relatively flat roads – definite PB potential!  Market Drayton residence have really embraced the event (much could be learnt Coventry!) coming out in surprisingly large numbers for a 10km to support; clapping and cheering and in the town a very noisy but on beat drumming group.  In fact as you pass the Costa Coffee shop they are even have a small water station – always knew Costa was a fantastic coffee shop!  The route has had a few minor alterations to avoid the 500m on the school field at the finish – although the 8km and 9km signs seemed not to have been moved to reflect this change – I was worried I hadn’t managed to pace Mary properly due to this but my fears were unfounded as my Garmin and route were spot on, it was just the signs!

The whole course was really well marshalled and the official water station gave out proper sized bottles of water with sports caps!  And a few marshals had taken water bottles further down the street just in case you missed out as you raced past; a very sensible and thoughtful touch. A second water stop was added due to the warm weather that wasn’t in the booklet sent out.  Although it wasn’t as warm as last years scorcher it was a hot day to run and this addition was certainly welcome and needed.  As for marshals – still great but this year a new addition… Pacers! Yes Pacers for a 10km! They did a great job and really helped runners achieve from 40mins all the way up to 75mins this is a very inclusive race.

What makes this race so highly rated is the goody bag.  Normally for a 10km race at this price you get a medal or t-shirt (today both! And a tech t-shirt at that!) and the goody bag has a snack and lots of leaflets.   But Market Drayton the goody is too small for everything you get – A tray – yes 12 – Muller Rice Corners! A pork pie, Porridge Oats, Mars Bar, a gingerbread man and all in a proper shoe bag.  My only whinge is the XL t-shirt is a little tight or maybe like the goody bags I am rather ample!  The goody bag!  Well…  Tech T-shirt, Medal, Shoe bag, Pen, Multifunctional Headwear, Mars Bar, Squashies, Gingerbread Man, Voucher for a free 1/2 pint, bottle of water and 12 Muller Corners ohhh and a pork pie!  The T-shirt design is fab – all the clubs that entered are listed on the front in their club colours!  Sizing…  Last year they were Male / Female and fitted (I found mine a good fit).  This year they returned to a Unisex fit – and again the fit for me was a little comfortable, but ladies seem to have found the fit a little more generous!

Massey Runners take their post hydration and recovery very seriously and after gathering the group together we made our way into a local hostelry to consume liquid carbohydrates and find probably the only person in Market Drayton who didn’t know about the run, but was very impressed we had come all the way from Coventry to race! After the race we missed everyone!  After a long queue for bag return and a long queue for the free beer, Mary had dozed off on the grass enjoying the sun.  As a non drinker she had my 1/2 as well so I guess she took the postrun hydration seriously but did snore loudly on the drive home.

This is an excellent race well worth the £16 entry fee – if you apply before the 31^st May you get a £2 discount! – and if like the 201 people so far that have signed up, I will see you there next year!   For 2018 the race opens on July 1st (after 12pm)  We plan to be on the list to run possibly adding an extra person to the car as Beth will be 15!

Massey Times 2017