Lincoln 10k: Great fans, true challenge

The City of Lincoln 10k race is the season opener in the Run For All series and with hundreds of spectators turning out to encourage runners and a picturesque setting it’s well worth lining up for the test.

Choosing to enter the Lincoln race was something of a personal crusade, having graduated from the university 10 years ago and with this year also being the 20th anniversary of the event, it seemed an apt time to step up for the challenge.

Organisers Run For All also stage 10k events in Leeds, Hull, Nottingham, York and Burnley throughout the year.

Lincoln 10k prep

In readiness I adapted a training plan devised by Hal Higdon based around my own weekly schedule and requirements.

To summarise, this meant I’d go for a longer run at the start of the week to allow more time for recovery, then do some light cross training in the gym such as bike and x-trainer work.

Added to this was some midweek speed work – including parkruns – at my local Tilgate for hills and Hove Prom for the pure flat speed and strength benefits you can get from wind resistance running on the coast.

The day before the race I took some time to recce a decent part of the route and was pleasantly reminded of the nice wide roads leading into the city and towards the Cathedral quarter. These would be closed off and traffic free for the event. Indeed one good memory I had was of taking my driving test along one of the roads I would be running up the following day.

The race

This year’s Lincoln event attracted 4,682 runners and 2015 saw a similar number take part,?making it one of the biggest road runs in the region.

While it was billed as a fast and flat route, with a few km still to go, that’s not exactly how it felt! The final 2-3km stretch up Nettleham Road into Priory Gate and the finish by Lincoln Cathedral is hard work, particularly with the lactic acid coursing through the muscles.

The spaces for spectators to take in the action and cheer on their connections is fantastically well-arranged, meaning as a runner you are flanked either side by hundreds of supporters urging you on towards the finish, with a historic backdrop of the Cathedral to finally get you over the line.

The Lincoln 10k is a real challenge, great for those who don’t fancy massive inclines and equally great for the thousands of runners raising money for charity.