3rd August 2025

Nottingham Running Festival

Organised by Run Through Events, the running festival took place at Nottingham Race Course, Colwick Park on 3^rd August 2025.

There are 3 race distances for adults, with options to enter 5K, 10K or ½ marathon. This makes the event inclusive. There is a junior race for children, so the whole family can be involved.

I had some vouchers to use, so I opted to participate in the ½ marathon distance. The ½ marathon starts on the race track and is 4 laps, plus a mini loop on the track to make the 13.1. Runners taking part in the 10K and 5K races cover 2 laps or 1 lap, respectively.

The race course facilities include toilets and changing area. There is ample free parking on site. Run Through invite independent retailers onto the site, selling a range of beverages, food and running merchandise.

The ½ marathon route starts on the track, loops around the race buildings and viewing stands and then out onto the trail, around the lake, returning to the track to complete each loop. The terrain is a mix of track, concrete, gravel paths, trail, sand and grass. It is relatively flat. There is an aid station, positioned at the start of the trail section, offering small bottles of water and/or gels, which can be collected on each lap.

The trail part of the course is accessible to the public, so there are a few dog walkers and families walking around the course. Some of the paths are narrow but it isn’t an issue, as the runners soon spread out and members of the public are generally accommodating and prepared to step aside to let runners pass.

The crowd support is mainly concentrated around the viewing stands, with a lot of applause and encouragement, as runners complete each lap. I use this event as an opportunity to run a few miles, on a supported course. 4 laps is just about manageable without it becoming too monotonous.

It was a very hot and humid day, so my performance wasn’t going to be amazing. My aim was to complete the 13.1 miles, at a steady pace.

Unfortunately, there were long queues for the toilets this year. This resulted in a few ½ marathon participants having a late start! I walked out towards the start line, with others who had been delayed. One runner recommended that we didn’t need to rush as Run Through need to get the message that improvements are needed for next year’s event.

As we reached the start line, a marshal was shouting to us to go. It became clear that the starting timer had been switched off and late comers were being started manually. (10K and 5K start by the viewing stands). That was a few seconds added to my overall time, but never mind.

Run Through did manage to send participants the right way round the track, this year, so this was an improvement on their part. Last year, they sent the ½ marathon runners the wrong way, so we all ran 13.9.

At the end, participants receive a medal for their respective distance, together with a few goodies.

I walked over the admin area to share some feedback with Run Through. I was informed that the comments would be passed on to the relevant personnel. A couple of days later, I received an email for 20% discount on another of their events.

(Editor’s note, Karen didn’t mention she was first in her age category)

Strider results

Half Marathon