York 10k: What Minster?

Absolutely loads of GoodGym Yorkies, with a sprinkling of Sheffield and Bristol got together to race 10km in the beautiful city of York.

We hadn't made any arrangements about where to meet up before the race, instead trusting in the power of the red t-shirt to guide us towards each other. Unfortunately, previous year's York 10k t-shirts were also red, so it wasn't quite that easy... Nevertheless, we eventually managed to track down a good-sized gang, with Alex, Steve and Leanne getting their photo taken for the local press in the process.

We went our separate ways to the start line - everyone with different goals, ranging from a 41 minute 10km to 'anything under an hour'.

As we followed the course out onto Bishopthorpe Road, cheerleaders Egg, Aron, Barbara and Lizzie proudly waved the GoodGym flag and loudly shouted out encouragement.

The race snaked around winding roads towards the city centre, cheering crowds lining the streets all the way. We passed the magnificent Minster with the bells ringing out loudly. In spite of the fact that York Minster is a rather large and impressive building, and one which was making a lot of noise that morning, Dom failed to notice it. He really must have been in the zone!

Next, we ran up past Clifford's tower and joined the path by the river, over the surprisingly sturdy Blue Bridge and onwards to Millennium Bridge. Just on the other side, our GoodGym cheerleaders were doing their good deed for the day - helping out the Parkrun crew at the 7km water station. They were doing a sterling job at giving out water and shouting out our names as we ran on by.

Back onto Bishopthorpe road, and the residents had their music blasting out, contributing to the brilliant atmosphere of the race. Although we knew that the finish line was just around the corner from here, it wasn't quite time to head in that direction - instead we took the scenic route to our turning via the first switchback of the course. Finally, we were on the last stretch. As we approached the right turn, where the finish line would come into sight, we were directed left. Another switchback! Just a short run out and back and then there was only 400m to go.

Crowds of spectators and some of the faster 10km runners lined the sided of the course. Birthday boy Nick was amongst them, having met his 41 minute goal with the help of pacer extraordinaire, Rob. They shouted our names out loudly as we sprinted past towards the bit where we were allowed to stop running.

Goodie bags collected and medals donned, some of us made our way back to Millennium bridge for a celebratory picnic and group photo. Except that we were so busy munching and learning about the best way to carry your wife in a wife carrying race that we forgot to take the photo until most people had left... oops!