Second year in a row running this event marking a year of being part of the FCR running family!  This event falls after my holidays so running this distance is always a challenge.  I reviewed last year so quick recap:

Up and down the blackpool coast line, bit more undulating than expected but nothing too difficult.  Nicely beat last years time but the previous year was very hot.  No pacers this year but given runner numbers I dont think it was required.

Perfect day for running and a nice medal at the end of it.  Always like going back to blackpool to run.

Second year running this race and enjoyed it just as much this year! 

Organisation is great, registration is nice and easy and plenty of toilets before the race. This race has a great local feel too it and everyone you meet either runner or marshal is very friendly. 

The route isn't the most imaginative however the views of the sea are great and you can see Blackpool tower and North pier for parts of it! The course is well marked and manned so no chance of running off course. Plenty of water available at the water stations and it was given in bottles which is always better then paper cups! A few little hills along the way but mostly flat so great for a pb at this distance. 

Not a lot of support on the course but members of the public do give you the odd shout if encouragement along the way and if you've got family and friends watching there is multiple opportunities for them to see you! Lead up to the finish is nice especially with some music playing. 

Lovely medal as always at the end and some water and a fredo as well. Very well organised race, would recommend for anyone looking for a smaller more local race and wants to test themselves against a 10 miler course!

Initially signed up for this race as a friend wanted to do it however they ended up dropping out however I still decided to take a trip home for the weekend and run it anyway! Drive to Blackpool was smooth however finding somewhere to park was a little interesting. When I went to collect my race number there had been an issue with the system when they changed websites however they quickly had me sorted with a new number and I was ready to run. The start was delayed due to traffic issues to make sure runners didn't miss out which was fine however it meant that what was already going to be a hot race was going to get even hotter. There were some pacers dotted about, I was a little disappointed that one didn't turn up for 1h40 even though there was a sign out for one. The route itself was run up and down the promenade, a few loops to start with and then straight and back in the other direction until doing the loop once more before finishing. It was a bit mentally draining doing the loops and the sun was very hot however there was very little wind which can always be a problem on the coast and the view was very pretty! Overall a great race for such a good price, good for anyone training for a half marathon or local to the area and wants a nice friendly race with a great medal!

After a 3-week holiday of eating and drinking and very little running I guess the last thing I wanted was a 10 mile race the weekend of getting home. But as I am trying to get a race in every month.... needs must.

Early drive down to Blackpool and found parking pretty close to the start/registration area. Registration was done on the promenade and was quick and efficient. There had been traffic issues that morning, so the race was delayed whilst the runners were able to arrive. It was a shame about the delay as it was a hot day and only going to get hotter the later we set off.

The course was an up down loop kind of affair of Blackpool promenade, was nice to run down the coast line and thankfully it wasn’t too windy (which I believe can be an issue here). It was a fairly easy 10 mile with very little incline. As with a lot of Fylde Coast events it had a team of pacers and we even had race commentary at the half way point and over the finish line.

Even early in the day there were a few “characters” about in Blackpool who liked to make comments to runners as they passed, nothing too bad but it did make me aware of who I was running passed. Also towards the end as lunch time approached I was getting very jealous of all the tourists with their finish and chips, I’m sure the smell alone got me to the end!

The finish area was very well supported and crossing the line I got my medal, water and a snack. You don’t get loads with Fylde Coast running events but for the price I always find what you get reasonable. They provide some of the best medals out there as well.

Following this race, the wife and I made the decision to become FCR members. The events are well run, friendly and very inclusive no matter what your standard.