Temple Newsam Ten or TNT for short is a 10 mile trail race held by St Theresa’s Athletic Club. The race begins and ends at the Temple Newsam Estate situated in the East Leeds region and takes in muddy forest trails, gravel paths, grass and hills. A great mix and a good challenge for the new year!

This years race featured over 800 participants which reflects how popular it has become in the last few years since its inception in 2016, especially as the ever popular Brass Monkey event was held on the same day.

Excellent parking facilities are available on site and are situated just a few minutes walk from both the registration building and start area. It was evident from arrival just how well organised this event is.

Collecting race numbers was straight forward with minimal queues and plenty of helpers and marshalls buzzing about willing to help and chat about the course. A team were also handing out free Red Bull! The female toilet queues were the only thing I could see that might be improved, but it looks like everyone got there in the end!

A good atmosphere was in the air with several large showings from various running clubs. Plenty of banter and some apprehension too as the course has the nickname ‘TNT – Tough Not Timid’!

The run starts with a lap of a grassy field before meandering down through the golf course and into the forest. The forest path is quite narrow with room for only 3 people side by side. If you’re going for a fast time you need to ensure you’re as far forward as possible as it’s difficult to overtake on this section. There are also further sections early on where single file running is necessary and no overtaking is possible before it opens up onto wider country tracks.

The tracks and paths widened after 3 or 4 miles and is mostly flat but there are some fairly hefty inclines still to come

The course loops around before approaching the underpass section that was used in the early part of the race. A nice hill to contend with here just after the only water station on the route which was a little disappointing. For those struggling on one particular hill, the organisers had arranged for ‘Hills Angels’ to run down to encourage people up. A nice touch!

The course is well measured according to my Garmin, pretty much beeping within 10 meters of each mile marker. The last mile however seemed to measure long for several people I spoke to, with my course coming in at 10.08 miles. That is just cruel after having to endure all the hills and mud! Speaking of which…

The last section before the final lap of the field to finish consists of a runaway downhill farmtrack before climbing up the other side, only to be met by a short, steep and leg sapping uphill path through the trees onto the grass. I heard a few swear words on this section it has to be said! It is also pretty hilarious once at the top because most peoples legs were not working. It took a good minute before the feeling came back, just in time for a sprint to the line!

The race was a great mix of road, trail and cross country. A really enjoyable run and nice to face the challenge of just getting round rather than chasing a PB.

It was bitterly windy and cold at the finish but a quality goody bag containing water, foil blanket, chocolate, crisps, excellent bespoke medal and t-shirt was very well received. Another free can of Red bull was collected for the journey home. All for just £15 too! (EA Registered Athletes, Non affiliated runners £17). Excellent value for money.

Certainly one I would recommend and I look forward to going back next year!

10 mile trail race, a mixture of muddy cross country, trails, path and grass. An interesting and challenging course with lots of Hills (up and down) The race was really well organised and all the marshals all the way around were really encouraging and supportive. Pre-race communication was really helpful/useful. The registration process and collecting race numbers on the day was easy. Excellent value to receive a great goody bag, technical finishers race/running t-shirt and a medal

I heard great things about this race from friends and decided to enter this year. 

It was well organised, from online registration through to on the day number pick up and bag drop, to course safety and marshals.

A tough course on grass, gravel tracks, mud and through woodland, up hills and round lakes. 

The marshals were excellent, encouraging and supportive, so many of them all over the course also.

Great goodie bag and big medal at the end.

A top event organised and run by fellow runners, how a running event should be!

Love this event, it is local to me and i have done it two years on the trot now, the medal and tshirt this year were fantastic and at the price i will defo be back in 2018. Great challenging course one to pace yourself over though as the last two miles are cruel to say the least.