North Tyneside 10k 2025 Results

A very tight schedule for the 3rd quarter of 2025 grand prix races culminated in the North Tyneside 10k race on 21st September, coming only 1 week after the Raby Castle 10 mile and 3 weeks after the Chopwell 10k (not to mention the GNR in between those two). This race normally takes place on Easter Sunday every year however was delayed in 2025 to allow for the completion of the new cycle lane along the coast (more on that later…)

This race is always popular with the BRC family and this year was no exception with over 40 of our members making the official results on the day.

The morning started somewhat chilly and base layers were in evidence for what was probably the first time in many months. The normal hugs, handshakes and fist pumps were in evidence for our arriving green and white army and some chat and a wee bit of banter was, as usual, free flowing. Warm ups were done, just made it back in time for the team photo, last comfort break and then race time. By the time we were called to the start line however, those choices of base layers were potentially a bit overkill with the sun making an appearance and the temperature rising quickly, c’est la vie, too late to change it now, time to run.

It felt busy before the start, what seemed like a good few thousand awaiting the gun, and our green and whites found their preferred place in the pre-race line up. Then came the gun and off we went.

In the past, the start was a run along to the high street and a sharp right down the very steep borough road, the race now starts on dock road and turns left to follow the sweeping down hill towards the ferry before rejoining the original route through the fish quay and beyond. A welcome change in my view (borough road was too steep for my liking) but each to their own.

The challenge of this race is normally the double hill up to the priory and then after that you can normally relax into a good stride and click of the remaining miles, conditions on the day however completely flipped the norm. The run through the fish quay and along the prom felt very nearly wind assisted and the double climb didn’t feel too tough but passing the Gibraltar Rock, bah, that northerly wind smacked you in the face and to be honest, never really let go of you all the way along to St. Mary’s. There are only a few occasions in my running journey when I have felt the need to try to gain advantage off others but this race was one of them, from the Grand Hotel I was searching for people to draft behind and gain some shelter from the wind. Catching them led to ‘the decision’, do I pass and take the full force of the wind or hold station and take the shelter. The answer was, as you might have expected from myself, pass but rest assured there were a good few times when I really just wanted to sit in behind and take the rest, the headwind was relentless, a very tough last 4 miles.

The shout outs along the route helped massively on the day, that little bit of a lift to just keep pushing when all your body wanted to do was stop, and then all of a sudden, Spanish city was a distant memory, the last little climb after the briar dene was done and the last 800m were lined up in front of you.

Despite the wind, the last 4 miles (from the Gibraltar rock to entrance to St.Mary’s) was along the route of the new cycle path. On some small sections we were directed onto the cycle path (all previously communicated in race notes) and for the remainder, it was on the pedestrian path. They have, in my opinion, done a good job with this. The conditions underfoot are really quite nice for running in your carbons and it will be a possible PB course if you can be lucky and get a southerly wind in future years. Well done North Tyneside Council.

Back to the race and after load more shout outs along the ‘pitch and putt’ section, making the turn at St. Mary’s entrance, that last few hundred meters is always interesting. Catching some, being passed by the sprint finishers (in my case anyway) and eventually, the line is crossed and it’s done.

There were some really strong runs on the day in very challenging windy conditions and well done to one and all who took part.

For the Grand Prix, the results made things a little interesting in some of the divisions and closed out the ‘up to 10k’ section of the competition. No more changes are possible in this category; your best 2 races are your best 2, job done.

Focus now turns to the ’10 mile to HM’ category, with the final race of this category taking place at the Jedburgh HM on Sunday 26^th October. This is your last opportunity to improve scores, complete a second counting race or indeed, point block others if you so desire, so will we see you there??

After that, it’s a double bubble 10 mile shoot out for the division competitors with Brampton to Carlisle and Run Northumberland BIG 10 in November, interesting times and races ahead…..