Run Newcastle Valentine’s Races, 16th February 2025

Cate Walker sends this romantic account from an overcast, but thankfully dry Town Moor:

“It was a grey day on the Town Moor as groups of runners gathered for the various different races making up the Run Nation Valentine’s Race offering. Having run the Valentines 5k last year in the rain, I appreciated having a dry run this time as I took on the 10k option.

I had signed up for the 10k as the February part of my ‘at least one fast, timed, 10k per month’ plan for 2025, knowing full well that it wouldn’t be the most exciting run, but also knowing it would be flat and potentially fast (last year had been the first time I had broken a sub-24 5k). A few things held me back today (a very congested start, the inevitable Town Moor wind, running in the Hetton Relays the day before) but I still enjoyed it, and managed to squeeze in just under 50 mins, getting my 4th best 10k time overall.

It was great to start the run with soon-to-be Claremonter Steph, who I already knew I was similarly paced with from the two Claremont intervals sessions she has attended. Steph outran me on the day by about 30 seconds, but keeping her in my sights kept me pushing. Well done Steph, and kudos also to Niamh Garratt and Aoífe Mongahan for respective Half Marathon and 5k PB’s (the latter joined by Jack Shawcross in the Couples Relay). A very good morning of running for Claremont overall.”

10k
Position	Runner	Time
87	Cate Walker	49:56

Half-marathon
Position	Runner	Time
79	Niamh Garratt	2:09:41

Couples Relays (5k x2)
Position	Runner	Time
8	Jack Shawcross & Aoífe Mongahan	39:41