WELL, that was a bit more like it.

The Stamfordham 10K route was a lot lighter on the legs after the killer hills of the Tynedale Half Marathon and Vindolanda 10K.

That's not to say it was an easy course. In fact, anything but.

There were plenty of twists and turns on the one-lane country roads, and there were a few smaller inclines thrown in to keep you working hard.

But as it was flatter than the previous runs, the opportunity to enjoy the surroundings more was afforded and the area certainly delivers on that front.

Starting off from the middle of Stamfordham, the run takes you through the villages of Dalton and Dissington on the way back to the starting point.

The Vindolanda 10K of the previous month was a lot tougher, the hilly route on a scorching hot evening meant that getting round the course seemed a great achievement in itself.

The weather conditions in Stamfordham weren't ideal neither. While the sun wasn't as prominent, it was still warm and muggy which made breathing freely a bit difficult...

Having got off to a good start around the seven minute mark for the first two miles, I gradually slowed to eight minutes for the final two.

I crossed the finishing line in a time of 47 minutes and 12 seconds, seeing me to 31st place from the 120 finishers.

And a big thanks to Vet55 runner David MacGillivray who overtook me with about 300m which meant I finished in the top 40 rather than the top 30!!!

All in all, a great run which I enjoyed more than the others due to being a complete wimp and finding it easier than the previous runs.

It was my third instalment of Run Nation's Northumberland series, and I have to say how impressed I am with them all. I look forward to the next one, which is set to be July's Wallington 10K because of my unavailability for next Wednesday's Kirkley 10K.

Wallington is an area I've covered many times through work, and the prospect of finishing in the grand grounds of Wallington Hall is something I'm looking forward to.

Date

Event

Venue

Organisers

Time

Saturday 4th March

Mad March Mare

Hexham Racecourse

Challenge Northumberland

01:06.36

Sunday 14th May

Tynedale Half Marathon

Hexham Market Place

Run Northumberland

01:44:35

Wednesday 24th May

Vindolanda 10K

Vindolanda Roman Fort

Run Northumberland

00:48:47

Wednesday 21st June

Stamfordham 10K

Stamfordham Village Hall

Run Northumberland

00:47:12

Tuesday 27th June

Tynedale 10K

Ovington

Tynedale Harriers

Sunday 16th July

Hexham Half Marathon

Wentworth Leisure Centre

Greg Urwin

Wednesday 19th July

Wallington 10K

Wallington Hall

Run Northumberland

Saturday 29thst July

Mestival

Hesleyside

Events of the North

Sunday 3rd September

Matfen 10K

Matfen

Run Northumberland

Sunday 10th September

Great North Run

Newcastle

Great Run Company

Sunday 24th September

Tynedale Jelly Race

Hexham Racecourse

Tynedale Harriers

Sunday 1st October

Prudhoe Miners' Race

Front Street, Prudhoe

Run Northumberland

Saturday 11th November

Prudhoe Riverside parkrun anniversary

Prudhoe Riverside Country Park

Volunteers

Sunday 8th October

Kielder Half Marathon

Kielder Water

Northumbrian Water

Sunday 26th November

Big 10 Miler

Kirkley Hall

Run Northumberland


TRAINING MILES

January

31.8

February

54.9

March

58.2

April

55.2

May

41.4

June

36

277.5