Portland 10 Mile Road Race

Those of you who remember my report on my last trip to Dorset will remember my frustration at having to run nearly 12k in a 10k race in October last year. Thankfully this time everything went to plan.

I managed once again to find a local race during my holidays and this time chose the 10 mile distance of the Royal Manor of Portland Athletic Club 10 mile road race (or Portland 10 for short).

My only previous attempt over this distance was the Lossiemouth Turkey Trot in December when I finished in 79:51. After some recent PBs at 5k and 10k I thought I should be able to knock a minute or two off my best.

It was a 1000 start on open roads with one and a half anticlockwise laps of the top of the rock to be completed starting with a large lap out to Portland Bill and a second smaller lap to follow. Registration was at the YMCA in Reforne and there was adequate provision of toilets. The start was a short walk up to the top of the hill.

The first 4k were downhill before 6 kilometres up to the top of the rock at Portland Heights. Two more downhill kilometres followed, before 3k uphill and the final 1k downhill with a total elevation gain of 162m over the race. There were plenty of water stations (5?) given this race is in July in the south of England. I stopped for a quick glug at each of them rather than trying to drink on the move.

There were lots of spectators cheering us on on an overcast but dry and breezy day. There was plenty of room to run apart from on the Portland Bill out and back section when a combination of tourist buses and cars made this section a little tricky although all the cars let us proceed.

Each finisher received a medal and a small bag as well as water, mars bars and flapjacks.

I finished 19th in 75:52, 4 mins faster than December.