Thirsk 10 mile

Sunday 16 March 2025

Run by Thirsk and Sowerby Harriers from Thirsk racecourse. https://tasharriers.club/thirsk10/

Way back in 2008, this was my first race as a Ripon Runner. Having completed The Yorkshire 10km in Sheffield in September of that year, I joined Ripon Runners in October 2008. I was encouraged by Helen and Lester to enter the Thirsk 10 which was then run in November. I managed the run and it then encouraged me to see just how far I could run. Therefore this race does have a special place in my heart.

The route is fast and quite flat, so it sells out due to people wanting to get god times and it is also a good first 10 miler for someone just stretching to the distance. There is also a wheelchair race, which starts a little earlier as well as 1.5 mile children’s funrun.

It was a cool sunny day on 16 March. I also run with Bedale and Aiskew Runners (BAR) for social and training but race as a Ripon Runnner. I got a lift with BAR friends and collected my number and chip and caught up with RR’s and other friends from a variety of. Clubs. These local races are great for a catch up. My sock was bothering me, it felt creased under my foot, so I changed socks. We were walked to the start, a good 5 mins away. I got separated from my friends and just went down the verge till I could see someone I knew was a similar pace. I ended up too far forward and standing with Angie. I looked around and realised I was too far forward for my pace. It was very crowded and I had to accept that I would be overtaken by hundreds of runners in the first couple of miles. I was hoping for around 1 hour 38 minutes my (Race the Machine target) https://racethemachine.co.uk/

I could hear there was a race brief but couldn’t hear the words then suddenly we were off. I tried not to get carried along, I tried to stay within my comfort zone, but it is difficult to run by feel when you are in the wrong pace. I knew I was working hard, the miles were passing, and at 3 miles we turned right rather than the traditional left. New route this year running towards Northallerton for 1 mile, this section was gently undulating. It felt like forever to reach the turn cone. I like out and backs, you get to see your friends and where you are in the group. I didn’t feel that I was too far forward any more, but I was already running out of steam. At 5 miles we were back at the 3 mile marker, now straight back to the Thirsk Racecourse. I was already hanging on, I took each mile at a time. I couldn’t look at my watch because I might trip, I just worked as hard as I could to each mile marker. By 8 miles it was a struggle, there was a fresh wave of overtakers, 9 miles where I should have been able to push on, I was empty, nothing left, just hanging on, on feature at a time, wooden fence, green fence, ( There was Julie taking pics, I had to force a smile)

roundabout 1, roundabout 2, pedestrian crossing the corner. One last effort, I could hear someone on my shoulder and had one final burst left in my legs. I was stunned to see 1:32 on the race clock. I looked at my watch

 I was absolutely spent, but pleased that 2 weeks after 105 miles in the Tunnel, that I could hit one of my fastest 10 mile times.

Out of 10 places, there were 919 finishers for this year’s race (there are often up to 10% no shows on the day)

Thirsk 10 times 

2008 - 105:59

2009 - 90:37

2015 - 91:19

2022 - 93:44

2023 - 96:20

2025 - 91:48

In order of fastest to slowest 

2009	90:37
2015	91:19
2025	91:48
2022	93:44
2023	96:20
2008	105:59