Bangor 10k 2025

The Bangor 10k is where I set my personal best on that distance. It is also my successful race of those that are still run. It is not unusual for races to immediately discontinue when I win something better than a bronze medal, like the SSitWR and the Pwllheli 10k, but not this one. In 2023, I had a bronze medal, and in 2024, I managed silver. So for me, the pressure was on. This was the race where I had to perform!

Traditionally, the Bangor 10k and half marathon are run on the same day, with the same start time. The 10k runners just turn around earlier.

The weekend in which they was scheduled was a bit blustery. That Friday, I left work early in order to not have to face wind gusts of 60 mph. I think I failed. But I got home safely. That Saturday there should have been the Llandudno triathlon, but it was cancelled because of the weather. On Sunday, the 10k would be run. The weather should have improved by then.

On Saturday, there was a message from the organisation. The half marathon was cancelled! They mentioned that the route was not in a fit state for a race, due to storm Amy. I first thought that would mean the half marathon runners wouldn't be there. That gives the 10k runners more space. But then I realised that all half marathon runners we are now welcome to run the 10k instead. And that meant: a lot more competition!

Good news was that Kate said she was going to come to cheer me on. That sounded lovely. She didn't want to travel up together, though; she had the dog to deal with, and wasn't sure she would make it on time. So I figured I might as well bike in. I would also get to see the state of the bicycle path beyond the turning around point for the 10k that way.

I did get to see it. And I did understand they hadn't managed to clear the path! There were two sizable trees lying flat over the path. I could still get past; with the first three I could lift my bike over one trunk and slide it underneath another. With the other three I had to go over altogether. It was okay!

Quite some work to clear this up! 

And then there’s this one too

I got there in good time, and got my race number. I also found fellow track runner Elfyn, who had mentioned he was running it too. He asked if I would pace it! I said yes. I had paced him the previous week... I also saw fellow Harrier Mary. I could give her a medal she had won in the Caernarfon half marathon, but had already gone home by the time the presentation took place.

I also went to the loo. To my surprise, there was no queue! What sort of miracle is that? And I did a little warmup. Then I took off all the clothes I didn't want to run in and headed for the start. Richie was there too. The previous race he had beaten me! Would I manage to beat him this time?

Start pic

I started close to the front, and saw that there were loads of women in front of me. That's what you get when the half marathon joins! We ran down the high street, and headed for the pier. This time, we didn't run all the way to the end. Was that a weather precaution? The further out into the Strait you run, the more exposed you are. But a turning around point means you get to see who is in front of you. And I thought there were some 10 or 11 women ahead of me. That's what you get when the half marathon runners join!

I had intended to run the first part at speeds of 4:15-4:20 mins per km, but I was going slower than that. Oh well. I wasn't going to get a podium position anyway. And when we came off the main road to get onto the bike path, I saw Kate! She was screaming her lungs out. That was fab. And she also made sure to scream from the bridge.

I was slowly gaining on the people in front of me. I was glad to see that I was picking off a few women on the bicycle path. And then the turning around point came. Five women in front of me! Indeed, no chance of a podium position. But a clear potential for a category win. Let's just chase that!

I did pick off one of these women. The rest looked way too far ahead. And when we had to make a little loop for reasons of road safety by Maesgeirchen, I saw that the woman I had overtaken was a safe distance behind me. I could cruise to the finish now. No changes in position expected from here on.

I did cruise to the finish. I got a fist bump from the photographer, who is associated with the club. Then I done around to cheer on some people behind me, like the next lady. And I was there to congratulate Richie who came in not far behind me. I had beaten him again!

Crossing the finish line 

Then I went to collect my medal and race T-shirt, and drink my recovery shake. I also put a jacket on. I knew I would get cold in just a vest. And I went back to the finish to cheer some other people on, and I saw Mary. When she went off to put on an extra layer I got a message from Kate, and found her by a café. With Bryn! I hadn't realised she would bring him. It was really good to see him. He thought so too.

We had a chat with Mary, and random passers by, and the father of an under-18 Harrier who had been super fast (he often joins the Thursday sessions, and has recently also been attending Track Tuesday). He had also been super fast in Tattenhall. But, unlike his dad, he was not in socialising mood.

Then it was time for the presentation. We stood a bit back from the crowd because it otherwise would have been a bit too much for the dog. But we cheered for everyone. And I indeed had a category win! The guy from Run Wales said he was getting used to having to hang a medal around my neck in the ceremony. It's nice if that is a standard thing. I also remember a Cybi Strider remark during the presentation of the Caernarfon half marathon 'now we come to the bit where we watch Margot get medals' and I thought that was both funny and flattering. Mary had heard some students chattering that they head recognised me, and thought I was really fast. Ego boost!

When the presentation was over I went to get my bike. The plan was that Kate and I would go for coffee and cake somewhere. And for reasons of noise venue and dog-friendliness we chose the Blas Lon Las cafe (at Moel y Ci farm). And that worked out perfectly! Because my bike was in the back, Bryn had to sit in the footwell of the car on the way there. He was being very cute there. And enjoyed licking the sweat from my legs. And the cake in the cafe was nice. A good day!

No more legs to lick, so time to snooze

Kate brought me home. There I found out I had done it in 43:27; my second fastest time ever; 6 seconds faster than I had done it in 2023. And 50 second slower than in 2024. Fine with me! And I was indeed 5th. And I couldn't resist checking if that would have been different if the half marathon had gone ahead; yes it would! Two of the women faster than me (including the winner) had been registered on the half marathon. So if they could have run that distance I would have come third. And the women who would have got gold and silver were so fast that even if I would have run my 2024 time, I still would have been only third. They did it in 40:42 and 41:31, respectively. I'll never manage such times!