SABIC Tees Pride 10K, Middlesbrough

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Sunday 8 September 2013

Lucy Verrill reports...

There had been flooding from heavy rains in nearby Redcar and Saltburn on Friday 6th September, but the 9th annual Tees Pride 10K took place in near perfect conditions - warm, dry and sunny with no wind.

Lucy Verrill, 8th lady in 41:17

It is a major event on the Middlesbrough calendar, and really well-organised with a secure baggage area, physios and refreshments, mass warm ups and Radio Tees broadcasting live throughout the event.

The event started with a 3K fun run, and it was fantastic to see many families with children take part in this. Next off was the 10K wheelchair race and then the main 10K. Almost 2500 runners took part in the well organised event, which had penned starting areas for elite athletes, sub 40, sub 50, sub 60 and 'happy to finish'.

The course is a fast and flat single lap loop with just 75 feet of climbing in total . Roads were closed meaning it was a safe environment, with plenty of room after the initial starting tunnel. The local community are really supportive of the event and the course was lined with residents cheering the runners on, and children holding out hands for high fives. There were also several bands playing live music along the course and at the water stations.

The race was won in 30:30 by T Geremew Mulugeta of Elswick Harriers, with Yared Hagos of Wallsend AC recording exactly the same time. The women's winner was Rosie Smith of Durham City Harriers in 33:49.

All in all I'd really recommend this race and not just because I got a big PB (8th lady in 41:17)! Great atmosphere and really well organised.

While Teesside is all too frequently known for more negative connotations, the Tees Pride 10K shows that it's not all grim up North!

Organisers website: http://www.runmiddlesbrough.com
Results: PDF or http://www.chiptiming.co.uk