Race Date: Sunday 11th May 2025

In what was a moment of madness I decided to enter the Blackpool 10k Funrun primarily because I fancied pie, chips and peas by the sea and they just don’t taste the same after a 10k in Chesterfield

The race was on the 11th May and started a 11am prompt at the front of The Savoy Hotel. It was in aid of Trinity Hospice so I made a donation instead of messing around getting sponsorship for this event. The weather couldn’t have been better, it was about 20 degrees at 11am and was only going to get warmer

My husband and eldest son found a spot on the wall in the shade as we’d taken our 3 dogs so they could share the seaside experience too. Around 10:50am the entertainment on the microphone started telling everybody to make their way to start leaving the front section for the faster runners who would finish in around 40 minutes. I found a spot put on my music, got my watch ready and we were off. I waved to my loved ones as I ran past and followed the masses out towards the Pleasure Beach to the 3 mile turnaround point.

It was a bizarre experience as, although the promenade was closed to cars and all the lights we passed were on red, it really didn’t stop pedestrians from randomly stepping off the pavement in front of you. The outbound run was event free other than dodging pedestrians. The volunteers on the course were excellent at encouraging people in the heat to be careful and not be too silly.

At the 3 mile mark I had a cup of council wine which was welcomed even though I had my own fluids with me but by now these were rather warm and tasting a little strange. The speedier runners had long since headed back home but I knew I’d now be following them and in roughly 30 more minutes would be also finished

The route back wasn’t so clear, there were runners sat on the kerbside trying desperately to cool down from the heat. I passed one runner who was surrounded by people and when he managed to lift his head he was covered in blood from where his head had met with the tarmac. Whilst I was running back, an ambulance was heading along the promenade to assist with his care.

I passed lots of people who were jeffing the last few miles so we kept playing cat and mouse all the way back. I knew when I passed the pier there was 1.4 miles left and today that felt a mammoth task. In the distance I could see a man who I’d set off alongside but he’d long since left me at this very same point on the way out so I made it my mission to beat him across the line. Nothing else mattered with half a mile to go. I would love to say I breezed past him but breezed would be the wrong description. Pardon my French but I dragged my arse past him and set my sights on the finish.

At last it was in sight and I was surprised how many people were having assistance to the finish line but I managed to make it over on my own steam. I collected my medal and bottle of water, met up with my loved ones and we quickly went back to the car as the dogs were desperately needing water and shade.

I never got my pie chips and peas as we couldn’t get anywhere near the seafront and it was just to warm to walk the dogs in the height of the sun.

I didn’t find much fun in this Funrun today I felt I had to work hard. I finished in an ok(ish) time of 1:01:30. The fastest male was Joshua Smith, in 34 minutes and 3 seconds. The fastest female was Belinda Houghton in 39.01. 1694 runners finished the event. It was great value for money at £18 for the race . But me personally I wouldn’t return to run it again.

Striders Results: