Bradley Stoke 10k. It’s been on my running to-do list for ages. I’ve just not gotten around to doing it. Why? Mainly because it sells out so quickly! Like ridiculously quick - within a day or two. So it must be pretty good then! Either that or there are just a lot of people in Bradley Stoke (aka Bradders) that have nowt better to do of an early Sunday morn. The reason it’s been on my list is because I spent a year or so living in Bradders about a dozen years ago. This was at a point in my life where I’d started running but not very regularly and had yet to join a running club. My memories of running around Bradders are pretty sketchy but I can’t remember it being terribly interesting! When I think of Bradders - I think of lots and lots of houses surrounded by big walls, roads, tarmac, roundabouts etc. If I was getting my kit ready - I’d definitely be packing my road shoes! 

Imagine my surprise then when what I discovered on Bradley Stoke 10k was - yes some roads, tarmac and the odd roundabout - but also trails! Trails, paths, rivers, a bit of woodland and trees! Who knew?! The race itself seemed to be very well organised and started in a park with lots of green space. A playground for the munchkins to play in. Plenty of room for Terry the Tornado to do his warm-up. After setting off from the park we headed out on to the road and pavements to experience a bit of the aforementioned tarmac. The locals came out to cheer us on which was a nice boost. Then after 5 mins or so we darted off the road and left onto a country path and before I knew it - we were in amongst nature! Ok, so it wasn’t exactly the Cotswolds, but still - we had trees, we had trails - we had nature. I couldn’t quite believe we were still in Bradley Stoke. The race would continue with the nature for a bit, then we would pop out and run across a road and along a pavement, before diving back in amongst the greenery. It was as if this concrete jungle was interspersed with flashes of actual jungle - all within a stones throw of the roads and houses. 

For me the best thing about Bradley Stoke 10k was that I had not a clue where I was the whole time. To be fair, that was not much different when I lived there! This made the run psychologically easier I thought, not being able to see how far you had left to go. So, I know what you’re thinking you keeners! Is it a PB course? I’ve been pondering this for a bit and the honest answer is - I’m still not sure! I would have said - probably not. It’s definitely not flat. It’s flattish, but there are a few short sharp inclines (ok so that’s a fancy word for a hill!) to get up. There is also the gravely terrain along the woodland paths in which you lose some traction. But, that said, there are as many downs as ups. Also, the thing that makes me think it actually may be a PB course is - a few of us got PB’s! I wasn’t one of them unfortunately, but I did enjoy the race and would definitely recommend it. I found it tough with the changes in terrain but also a lot more interesting because of it. We also had an epic showing all round by EGRC! Out of the 30 strong black and green team that pitched up - a few got PB’s and four won 1st places in their respective age categories! Amazing! May be a PB course after all then ....