Durham City Run Festival, 14th July 2023

A small band of Claremonters headed to a soggy Durham this evening to take part in the festival. Howard Maclennan was one of these brave souls:

“Well done the Light Blues for running the Durham City Run 5k/10k Monsoon race tonight.

I tried to do a Mungai selfie on our way down on the train, and I am fairly confident only Anneliza looks good.

From getting off the train and getting back on the train, it was a complete soak. I introduced Anneliza to the finer points of evening wear in Durham, that of wearing a bin liner over oneself and a baseball cap. It was very fashionable amongst all in the sell out race.

We found Lynne Cornell near the Gala Theatre and discovered she was doing the Monsoon 10k, with Anneliza and I in the 5k. We all had a loud laugh at our private choices in life, and perhaps more about Lynne’s 10k. Well done Lynne, a tremendous effort.

This race is never the same each year, the route is always different through the city centre. The race was to start on Silver Street on Durham Market Place, but we were tightly and cosily held at the assembly point on the High Street walkway before the start line. It wasn’t a great place to start with all the 5k and 10k runners.

We had to run down Elvet Bridge and I’ve never seen a small stream on a bridge before. We all had to weave around Durham Cricket Club on the grass and tracks before heading back to the city centre. Anneliza sprinted to the start line not realising the finish was actually further up the hill on the Palace Green in front of the Cathedral. Breathless and definitely a ‘gung ho!’ performance there!

Anneliza done well, just 6 places behind me. It wasn’t going to be the fastest course negotiating around so many runners, plus the weather. The medal and goody bag was fantastic, Anneliza also got a tee-shirt while I opted for a tree to be planted.”

Lynne Cornell: “I had been keeping an eye on the weather forecast for this race, 100% chance of heavy rain and a ‘moderate’ breeze was indeed correct! Very different to when I have done this race before – usually a hot summer evening.

My feet were already soaked through as I arrived at the baggage drop at the Gala theatre. There I bumped into Howard and Anneliza, sporting the very latest in fashion wear for a night out in Durham – bin liners. It was then I noticed their race numbers were white and mine was purple, and it dawned on me I was doing 10k whilst they had opted for 5! Howard could barely contain his laughter; he didn’t!

Then it was off to find the start, which is on the Market Square but you line up in Bishops Place shopping centre. 5k and 10k start together, and whilst it says ‘please line up according to your anticipated finish time’ that is not really possible! This makes it very crowded at the start and for the first mile or so.

At 7:15 when the race was due to start, the heavens really opened and the race director announced the start would be delayed, and also that the course was extremely slippery! Not delayed for too long – only about 7 minutes.

Then we were off-out of Bishops Place, turned left into Market Square and across the start line. Along to Elvet bridge – 1st of the slippery cobbles and a stream running down the path, along Old Elvet to Durham Cricket Club where the path weaved its way round to the riverside path, then back to Old Elvet.

Just before Elvet bridge the 5k runners were directed right to the last 2k (lucky them!) and 10k directed left. We then went along New Elvet, up the hill at Church Street, along Quarryheads Lane and onto South Street, which was more slippery cobbles – I and several others opted for the footpaths either side which was paving slabs. Then alongside the river including a trip through a car park (at least it wasn’t raining in there!) to Framwelgate Waterside to a turning point, back along the river and over the Pennyferry Bridge, along Freeman Place to a turning point, then through the grounds of the Durham 6th Form Centre and into another car park!

Then back along the river, across Baths Bridge (felt like I’d been in one!) then left along Territorial Lane back to Old Elvet across Elvet Bridge, up the hill to turn right along Saddler Street to a turning point and finally (!) up Saddler Street, then the final cobbles of Owengate to Palace Green and the finish in front of Durham Cathedral.

Went to get my medal off Paula Radcliffe, who said she was 5k and directed me to 10K. A very good goodie bag including chocolate, so husband thrilled! Despite the weather I enjoyed it in a strange sort of way – character building as some might say.

Well done to Howard and Anneliza. For some reason on the results, Howard and I are listed as members of Daventry Road Runners!!!! Is there something someone hasn’t told me about moving?!!!”

5k
Position	Runner	Time
143	Howard Maclennan	25:54
149	Anneliza Andreadi	26:15

10k
Position	Runner	Time
291	Lynne Cornell	51:33