Dronfield 10k

Sunday April 27th 2025 | Dronfield | Author Liz Blakey

Firstly, let me begin by saying I’m not a race reporter or in a running club, I’m just an average 5k runner who barely races these days, my last formal race being the Dronfield Town 10km in May 2024.

A last minute decision on the Wednesday night as the entries closed on the Thursday, I decided to sign up for the Dronfield 10km. In all honesty, it has never been my favourite due to 2 laps but recently having been running around that side of Dronfield for a change of scenery I felt prepared for this race.

I had to collect my race number on the day and this was well organised and easy. It was also great to see the amount of families signing up for fun run as I queued. I was given my race number and the lady volunteering laughed, ‘666’ was my number. Was this a sign?

A 10am start, is an added bonus giving plenty of time for breakfast to digest and travelling time for those coming from outside of the area. The roads close from 9am but access is still available as only one side of the road is closed off for racing. There are plenty of areas to park and then walk into the race village. At the race HQ there is a small bag drop off but these are left at your own risk.

A last minute nervous wee, plenty of portal loos are supplied for the event and actually even after the event they were still clean with plenty of toilet roll!

I placed my self between the 50 and 55 pacer (Rob had challenged me to beat my course PB from 2023 to be able to enjoy a meal out paid for by him).

The start of the race was organised well with the pacers in place, you can clearly hear the race directors instructions and as the fun run racers all line up against the start line sides you get a great sense of community and joy as they cheer loudly as the race begins.

The race begins with short stretch of incline meaning a steady start as people slowly begin to spread out. As you head back down towards the park you once again hear the support as you start to pick up the pace and enjoy the downhill section.

There was a water station located at the start of the Gunstones incline and with the power of the sun increasing this was a welcomed station for many during the race.

I know people moan about this incline, but actually I find this part of the race personally an easier section compared to the down hill of Pentland. I spoke to some fab DRC racers on this stretch to get a rough idea on their timings as I couldn’t see the 50 pacer and I darent look behind to see where 55 was. They thought they were around 54 minutes so I knew if I kept going I could maybe be hitting my PB.

This was the first time I had raced this race by myself but actually I didn’t feel alone, people were talking to you on the course and I just kept using certain runners in front of me as a challenge to get to them or to over take them.

The volunteer Marshall at the start of Pentland was full of enthusiasm , “you’ve got this, you’re on a downhill now”. She kept acknowledging the runners and giving them positive quotes.

Another water station is just at the end of this road and the sun was beating down on us by this point, again lovely to see the support and volunteers offering their time.

Now, it’s the final lap and when you know you’ve got the same parts to run again it can be difficult mentally but one bonus to the Dronfield 10km is that there are people lining the streets the whole race. These claps and cheers really do spur you on.

As I hit Gunstones again, I see the walking support from DRC supporting 2 incredible ladies who were full of enthusiasm and encouragement. I gave them a shout out and they returned the love. It showed the true spirit of a runner, everyone will be finishing having ran 10km no matter what time it was achieved in, 10km was the achievement. The bonus was at the end of the race as we soaked up the sun outside The Jolly Farmer pub, we supported the two ladies coming to the finish line with our children cheering loudly and proudly.

I had to dig in deep for the final part of the race. As you run into the park the claps and support was amazing. All the children with their medals around their necks cheering you on. There was a great space between the finish line and medal area (collecting your medal from the local Mayor). The finishers t-shirt area had clearly labelled tables with sizes. This then lead to water stations and for the first time a sweet treat from Gunstones bakery.

There was a small finishers village with stalls and massages being offered. Again, great to see local businesses supporting their local community and vice versa.

This is a well organised race , pacers all achieved their relevant times and the fun run is entered by a huge number of families. Encouraging the local children to exercise and feel a sense of achievement is great.

As a local race, it’s great to see the local running club DRC offering support to all those involved. It was clear to see how DRC are a great running community and make all abilities feel welcomed into their club.

666 turned out to be great number, I did sing ‘I am a devil woman’ a few times during the race but I completed with a course PB by over a minute! This achievement and the buzz from the race (the runners high as some call it) may have put blinkers over my eyes as I then signed up for the Manchester Half Marathon in October!!