Race Date: Sunday 9th November 2025

Louise Rowley and I had a bit of a déjà vu moment last weekend at Town Moor, Newcastle. Hadn’t we run a 10k road race here this year already? Yes, but that was an England Masters representation race in which we aspired to and achieved W70 silver and gold respectively for England.

Retracing our steps to Newcastle for the BMAF 10k Championship race was therefore a little easier, partly because we had a good idea of the location, elevation and organisation of this north east race but also because the lovely Kate Scott, fresh from the New York Marathon the previous weekend was on hand to show us the sights of Jesmond, her childhood home. The Great North 10k in July had showcased the Tyne Bridge, the river and the city centre to great effect whilst this race was held entirely on the fields above the town. When I say fields, I mean an area of grazing, recreational and sporting land of around 1000 acres making it larger than Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined.

In recognition of Armistice Day all athletes lined up in silence at 11.00 to pay respect to all who had been involved in armed conflict since the end of WW1. My mother, Mary Killow told me her father Hugh, Royal Ulster Rifles, survived the Somme but I know nothing of it because he never spoke of his wartime experience. The contrasting emotions between that perfect stillness and reflection on a cold, dry autumn morning and the sudden pulse of movement as the whistle went for the end of the silence and the start of the race felt palpable.

My last road race, the European Masters 10k in Madeira had been just a month earlier in in warm, humid conditions. The energy sapping heat meant a slower than usual 50:24 minutes to win a silver medal. I was now in a bid to break under 50 minutes if I could sustain my pace. Watching the younger runners snake away from me spurred me on to build and hold onto a 4.50km pace. With the race wholly on Town Moor I could keep an eye on my opponents and work consistently to chase down the grey brigade and pick off potential opposition. One 5k lap down in 24.20 I had to hold onto the pace to finish well. Blowing pretty hard and with lungs and legs beginning to burn I pushed myself hard to win the W70 race in 48:29 chip, nearly 2 minutes faster than the Madeira race. Grandad Hugh would have been proud. Louise Rowley ran well, 49:39 to repeat our placing of gold and silver again. The next W70 finished some 15 minutes later. Anne Hegarty, Totley, resplendent in her Irish strip achieved a W60 silver medal in 45:30. We had done Sheffield and our training group Virtual Harriers proud. Three athletes, three medals. Coach John Rothwell would be delighted.

Kate Scott was there at the start and there at the finish, urging us on, shouting encouraging words and capturing the race in photographs. Her support made the difference between a good race and a memorable one.

Coffee, cake, chat and medals rounded off an exciting days work in Newcastle. Bring on Percy Pud next month

The male race was won by Adrian Bailes, Birtley AC in 31:34. The female race was won by Alex Sneddon, Jarrow and Hepburn AC in 36:38.

Striders results: