Grand Prix Race 7 – Chopwell Woods 10k (10k-10M Category)
Once upon a time in a wood not too far away, a gang of intrepid (foolhardy!) runners from Blyth running club descended upon a lovely wooded area called Chopwell Woods near Rowlands Gill. The reason for this pilgrimage was for the 7th race of the 2025 Grand Prix series. This race was originally meant to be the Gateshead Trail 10km, but unfortunately, this was cancelled, and the GP committee found this one on the same weekend, and it had the word trail in the title, so we gave it a punt.
We realised it might be a tad hilly but persevered nonetheless….
I was lucky enough to cadge a lift from my good friend Tom and he whisked us from Crammy to the start area in double quick time. Whilst slightly perturbed by the parking situation and the likelihood of getting stuck, we parked up and made the picturesque walk to the start area. Halfway there, I realised I had not taken my cap with me ! the agony! However, I thought I can do one race without it and carried on to the start. On the way to the start, we bumped into Mark R and Richard B and chit-chatted our way to collect our numbers. We met up with the rest of the gang and got our numbers sorted and affixed. Since there was still a decent amount of time before the start, I nipped back to Tom’s car for my cap, and I felt so much better for getting it on my noggin!.
A quick team photo was taken (sorry we missed Will, he was having a tactical rest!).
Then after a quick warm up we walked the short distance down to the start line (starting elevation 146m).
The 10km was one of 3 races that the organisers were putting on, and the 10-mile and 5km had already set off and then right before the allocated start time, they came running down with the timing equipment, and then we were off, up the first of many, many, many hills. This first hill was a relatively gentle incline for 300m, a starter for the main course to come….
Whilst pretty well organized the first turn did not have a marshall and the leaders actually went straight on instead of left, and had to make a quick about turn to get back on track, not the best of starts! Thankfully, after that, it was well marshalled. After the first left turn we scurried down hill for a little while then it was a sharpish turn right and up the first proper hill of the run, peaking at a 10% gradient, thankfully this hill was “only” 300m long and we levelled out for 500m then we was followed a gently undulating trail for another 500m before uphill number 3, this was a right little bar steward, peaking at 16% this went on for 500m, this was tough, there was a temporary respite before the last little bump to the highest part of the course (230m elevation) at the 2.5km point, what a start!
Thankfully the next 1km was a relatively steep downhill, where we tried to catch our breathes and push on at the same time, then a 500m flat ish bit, then more downhill, then some more, 2.5km more or less to the lowest point of the course (63m elevation), which is where my GP rival and all round lovely bloke Shaun Morris came past me, I couldn’t stay with him, gutted.
I had heard beforehand that there would be an uphill part at the end, but thought it couldn’t be worse than what we had already endured, could it? Well, yes, yes, it was. From that low point at 6.6km (68m elevation) hill number 4 was thankfully not as bad as the last one and “only” went on for 400m, then another little downhill section down to the 7.3km point, the end was not too far away….
A sharp left turn showed a rather steep hill in front of us, hill number 5. This took what little breath I still had in my lungs, peaking at a 15% gradient for 300m, barely able to keep running and almost crawled up this one. Then it was a little downhill bit for 500m, then another uphill, shock, number 6 for another 300m, with another rise of my already high heart rate ( 185bpm at this point). At this point it was showing 8.3 km ran so far, so just over a mile left, so desperately wanting this to finish now. Another little downhill to try and catch my breath then, uphill number 7 with 1.3km to go, elevation 75m, please god, please make this the last one.
Now, I have ran through chopwell a number of times over the years ( part of the red kite trail) and up to this point had only recognized small parts of the run but now I knew where I was and I knew this next section was going to be tough!. I managed to scramble up the first section of the hill and pass a bloke who had passed me earlier, now I that I had though I wanted to make sure he didn’t pass me again, this final hill peaked at 19% and for the first time I had to walk for a bit, otherwise my heart was going to jump out of my chest. Then after a brief respite, I got going again, then had to walk again as it kept going up!, now into the last 500m there was a little downhill bit then the final climb to the finish rounding the final corner and over the line, thank god that was finished.
I think this has to be one of the toughest 10km’s I have ever done, the route was beautifully, but by lord it was tough, epic, but very tough. Total elevation gain 210m, 60m in the last 1km.
Anyone that was able to finish that deservers a medal!, oh wait, they did 😊 shame it didn’t have a date on, but he-ho.
So well done to all finishers and now we look forward to GP no. 8 , another trail one at Raby castle! Please don’t let it be as hilly as this one……
Oh, Blyth running club made up nearly 20% of the runners ! and a massive well done to everyone and special mention to Alex Lewis who came home in 1st overall, 4minutes ahead of Second place!
Heather Christopher was 1st Lady and 1st in her age category, as was Samantha Fletcher in hers! (and 2nd lady overall)
David Shields came home in 4th (1st in his age category), John Younger in 7th (1st in his age category), Gary Weir in 8th, (1st in his category) , Simon Clough 15th (1st in his age category).
What a day!!!