Story added: 27th July 2016

Run Norwich participant Lynn Crombie previews the Run Norwich course

Last week City of Norwich Athletic Club’s Piers Arnold, who finished fourth in 33 minutes in 2015, previewed the course for us. This week, Lynn Crombie gives us a view from the slower half of the pack, with more of an eye on finishing and enjoying the route…

Although I’m training for my first marathon next year, I am still very much a novice and the Run Norwich 10k fitted in perfectly with my schedule. My training runs usually take place in the country lanes of South Norfolk so I am looking forward to the city streets on August 7. I decided to see what’s in store on the day and set off at 7.30am to run the route – after weeks of high temperatures, the weather was cool, no wind and a bit of rain in the air.

Ideal.

1km Market is already busy, hadn’t quite registered the slope up Gentleman’s Walk as we get started but taking it easy, as they say to do, and the first hill past M&S and the Theatre Royal feels fine.

2km We are in the St Stephen’s stretch and we’re heading down hill. Getting into it now and sticking to the pace I train at.

3km Down the hill and a sharp right into King Street. Some uneven bits and glad the kilometres appear to be passing by comfortably.

4km We’re at Carrow Road. It’s flat and easy and good to know we’re nearly half way through. This is my first run through the city and the route feels relatively flat compared to my usual long uphill stretches.

5km Down Wherry Road and into the Riverside complex. Good place for spectators to watch the runners, and the restaurants will be open on race day so there should be some good support from the crowds.

6km Take back everything I said about a flat route. We are into Rose Lane and up the steepest hill as Piers warned. I am now hugely thankful for the hill training. Got my head down and I slow down slightly and just trying to keep breathing evenly. Finally at the top and the hill is swiftly followed by the long downhill in Prince of Wales Road. I think I could have gone a lot faster here but I’m unsure whether there is another hill so I keep it steady.

7km Left into Riverside Road and it doesn’t feel as long as I thought. Apparently you can see the Cathedral for the first time here. I missed it, but this is my favourite stretch of the route – flat and the finish line seems not too far away.

8km Right out of the main Cathedral gate and now we’re heading away from the city centre for the last time. The surface is a bit uneven in the Close but no real problems, even on a wet road, if you just watch it a bit.

9km Into Magdalen Street, it’s pretty flat but lots of people to dodge, but thankfully will not be a problem on the day. It’s a bit of an uphill slog at the top of Tombland back into Castle Meadow and with the legs tiring, I found this part the hardest.

10km Sharp but short hill by the Haymarket. However, welcoming sight of the Forum in view and I know we’re nearly there. Sprint the last bit because I still can.

Three minutes faster than my personal best and I know there is more there. All those training runs on the hills near home are paying off and none of the city’s steep bits last very long.

One thought that struck me along the way: Are they re-building Norwich? It felt like roadworks were everywhere and it can’t have been easy to get this route together. Can’t say I saw the landmarks this time, focused on what I was doing. Loved it. Now to Run Norwich.

You can read Piers Arnold’s course preview here.