Author: Kirstyn
Where: Yate (nr Bristol) When: June (this review is from the 2025 race) Distance: 10k Terrain: Tarmac, largely flat Organiser: Hogweed Trotters Cost: £23.50 Website: https://hogweedtrotters.co.uk/
This was my first 10km race in over a decade and a lovely one to get my legs back into it.
It’s an annual race hosted by the Hogweed Trotters running club and incorporates the Avon Athletics 10km Road Championship. It takes place in Yate (around 12 miles from Bristol) and the entry fee was £23.50.
It’s an evening run, with registration from 5:30pm, and the race started pretty much on the dot at 7pm.
There was ample parking at the race HQ – Yate Town Football Club – where runners also had access to the facilities including toilets…and a bar for after!
There were around 335 runners, many from surrounding running clubs but also some solo ‘fun’ runners like me. Terry the Tornado led us in a good old fashioned warm up which eased my nerves.
There was a short walk to the start then after a briefing from the Race Director, we were off.
The route is all tarmac, largely flat and takes you through some scenic rural roads (made a mental note to check out some of the gorgeous houses on Rightmove afterwards!).
The first section was a little cramped with not much room to overtake but it quickly opened up.
The roads are not closed during this race so, whilst there were helpful marshals and very little traffic, you do need to stay aware. For that reason, you risk disqualification if you wear in/over ear headphones (bone conducting ones should be ok).
There were distance markers every KM and a water station with paper cups around the half way mark.
It was great to have easily identifiable pacers for times from 40 mins up to 1 hour and some spectators cheering everyone on.
It was a fast, competitive race but a friendly atmosphere and great to run in the evening sunshine.
Medals were handed out at the finish line with a presentation for the top runners at the Football Club afterwards.
I was grateful for the free banana and delicious Cottage Bakehouse flapjack at the finish line.
The race was chip timed and results were available very quickly that evening – I got a PB!
It was a well organised and good-sized event so I’ll be back next year.
Race review by Kirstyn