Race Date: Friday 3rd October 2025

Race Report by Kate Morris

Donfaster 5K is a UK athletics licenced, chip timed 5k ‘summer’ race series organised by Danum Harriers RC and based at the Doncaster cycle hub. The course is 5 x 950 meter laps of the squished kidney shaped cycle loop with an extra vomit inducing 250m tagged on at the end. Timing mats are placed at the start/end of each lap and at the finish line. There are two races, the first at 7pm for the faster division of entrants and the second at 7:30 pm. I can’t remember how much the entry fee was as frankly I can’t remember entering, but I doubt it was much. (Editor: It was £11.00). As the name implies it’s a potentially fast course and thus targeted by many a club runner looking for a good time as the actress said to the bishop.

My partner Mark Havenhand and I entered some time ago. Needless to say we had forgotten all about it until a few days before. I’ve always disliked evening races, my body clock never seems to adjust and these days (having recently turned 60), there’s a very real possibility of a prolapse, things are falling off and out at an alarming rate. Mark managed to juggle work commitments and time in lieu so that he could have the day off, I checked my work schedule but alas was facing an entire day on my feet.

Race day dawned and a glance at the forecast revealed that storm Amy was due to whip up her skirt and unleash the full force of her cancan across the region of South Yorkshire at precisely 19:00 hours. For some inexplicable reason we decided to ignore google maps and arrived with an inordinate amount of time to spare, so we sat in the car in the most desirable parking location (according to the race notes) of car park 4 and turned our attention to the cycling world champs on Marks iPhone.

Part way in to the mens road race my mind started wandering towards the primary task in hand … a pre race poo. Now on a Saturday morning a post pub pre Parkrun sashay to the loo isn’t a problem, but on this occasion there didn’t appear to be even a rumbling of compliance. What to do? Mark suggested a light joggle, so we extricated ourselves from the relative comfort of the car and braved the elements to joggle around the storm battered streets of Doncaster east central. But alas, nothing. Nada. I hastily devised a plan B and headed for the ladies. Unfortunately, the flushes on both of the available toilets weren’t packing a full punch and it soon became apparent that I wasn’t the only person experiencing a pre-race poo conundrum. It transpired that it didn’t matter too much that the bogs were on the blink as reportedly none of my fellow runners loitering in the ladies were achieving anything more than a big wee.

I gave up and excited the ladies. Where on earth had Mark got to? I wandered around for a bit searching for a new friend. I spotted one in the guise of fellow Strider Aaron Staniforth, also a first timer at this event. We mused the impact the storm may have on our times whilst race one was underway. We spotted the yellow and gold of John Kilcoyne blazing a trail around the track whilst adjacent trees thrashed about somewhat alarmingly and the red and white barrier tape whipped skywards in a frenzy.

Then it was time for our race. We lined up at the start and dutifully listened to the race briefing … run 5 times round the track then the extra bit to the finish. THREE, TWO, ONE, GO! And dear Lord … considering this was the over 20 minute race the pace was blisteringly fast! I sacked off any thoughts of keeping with the pack and settled back. The wind was howling, but the rain had abated to a degree so that was something. Round the first bend then BAM! Straight in to a wall (figuratively speaking obviously, no trip to Doncaster A&E required). As is the nature of most storms the gusts whipped up with unpredictable force and direction, but after a lap or two it became apparent where the worst of the impact of the wind could be felt. Unfortunately, due to the relatively small field, there was limited opportunity to tuck in with a pack and take solace from the onslaught

I had no idea where I was in the field, the course was floodlit, but it was still quite dark and for much of the time my head was down like a bull about to charge, trying to punch a hole in the wind. I did, however, see that I was gaining on a couple of females who’d gone off with the leading pack which was encouraging, and momentarily quietened the intrusive “I can’t be arsed with this, it’s Friday night and it’s WAAAAY past wine o’clock, I think I’ll stop” thoughts.

I went past the penultimate timer in 20:33, trying but failing to calculate how long it would take to run the final 250 meters, so just kicked as hard as I could on my chubby little legs. I overtook a junior practically on the line who I hadn’t even spotted as she was so small and dressed all in black, but who had the attention of seemingly all the supporters who were cheering her on with excessive enthusiasm – honestly, the shame! I felt like I’d entered a fun run with the sole intent of winning … what an idiot! Finishing time 21:24. Finishing time of aforementioned junior 21:24. So there it is. In black and white. In the results. I’m one place ahead, not behind like you could safely assume that any self-respecting grown up would be. (Editor: A conundrum for the Steel City blazerati. Kate is in the results as an F55 but has recently joined the ranks of the F60’s. She beats both of the existing 5k records held by Carol Beattie but which record is Kate now the Queen of?)

The conversation in the car on the way home with Mark was largely dominated by working out how much of an impact the storm had had on our respective races. Five secs per lap sounded about right to me, which would have seen me crossing the line in 20:59. If I accounted for the day on my feet and the lack of taper I reckon for def I’d have been sub 20. But sadly, the reality is that despite popular opinion, I’m not that deluded.

All in all it was a fabulous evening – a great little uber friendly race hosted by a local running club. When the results came out it became apparent that Strider Jonathan Smith had also forgone his Friday evening pint and braved the elements. An investigation of Strava indicates that most of us were pleased with our evening’s work.