Gibside National Trust 10K, 3rd May 2023

In the days of Gibside parkrun, I used to find that 5K on the Gibside hills was challenging enough, but Lynne Cornell took on 10K around the Gibside trails. She sends this report:

“I entered this race before I knew about the NEMAA relays and as I started up the first hill just to collect my race number I began to question my choice!!! Having made sure I went to the correct start line for the 10k rather than the 5k, I listened to the race director give the following instructions-  Please listen to the marshals and follow the CORRECT ARROWS not the person in front! 10k runners may catch up with the 5k runners after a couple of miles! It started on the Long Walk, went past the walled garden then we met the first hill at 2k. It was then on tracks through the forest with the next uphill at 4k followed by a steep downhill between 4 and 6k on gravelly track.

6-7k was alongside the River Derwent then past the Column of Liberty at 8k. Last uphill was between 8 and 9k then downhill/flat all the way along The Long Walk (again!) and past the Walled Garden (again!) to the finish where  we were rewarded with a wooden medal, a choice of beanie, socks, bag or buff, a snack and a drink of our choice.  It was a lovely trail run through glorious countryside on a truly beautiful evening.”

Lynne finished 84th in a time of 53:49. Well done!