It was a very last minute decision to enter Andali Event’s 10k on Sunday 12 July 2026. I didn’t have plans for that weekend so why not! There was the choice of a Half Marathon, 10k or 5k – I picked the 10k. It was at the pricier end of a entry fee spectrum at £25 but actually it was a very well run event with a medal and snacks at the end and I didn’t feel shortchanged and it’s an opportunity to support a local race.
One of the attractions of the race was the early start times which meant we avoided the heat of the day as the prolonged dry spell continued. The Half Marathon set off at 8am and the 10k and 5k at 9am. Arriving in style with Liza Austin giving me a lift in her primrose yellow soft top mg, the registration process was very efficient and there were nice touches like suntan lotion on hand for anyone. There was a short briefing and then time to line up – the 10k was started just before the 5k. The race itself was a bit tougher than I expected and definitely multi-terrain. After a short sharp climb out of the start area we went along The Linney out onto Coronation Avenue, there’s a short pavement section (by this time everyone is pretty spread out) before turning left onto Burway Lane which is initially tarmac before leading onto a footpath and then gravel tracks before heading across the fields. Across the fields it was pretty much single file with a narrow footpath alongside what felt like shoulder high grass/crops (slight exaggeration). There was then a short wooded section running alongside the A49 before another very short pavement section and a right turn into the Plymouth Estate. There was a very welcome water stop here at pretty much the half way point. The next two ish miles were on the estate road and then lanes of Priors Halton as we headed to Dinham Bridge . I found this section surprisingly energy sapping – it’s undulating and whilst the ‘ups’ are not steep there was little chance of a recovery on the ‘downs’. So it was lovely to see Kath Hardwick out supporting the runners. At Dinham Bridge there were quite a few people out supporting which is a good morale boost as you take a sharp right turn to head up ‘the lactic ladder’. It is difficult to choose whether to take the steps or the footpath – I chose the steps until very near the top where they are really quite high so I ended up walking those last 5 or 6. The run along the top of Whitcliffe Common was a bit further than I expected and the run down quite steep with loose gravel – I had road shoes on so had to check my grip before committing! Back over Dinham Bridge there’s just the final 400/500 back to the finish.
As it was still only 10ish on a Sunday morning people stayed chatting until the presentations. Jo Tilby was 2nd Female in the 10k. There were no age prizes although age categories placings are listed on the results it’s not clear what the categories were. The other Croft results are below with full results on Ready Steady Go timing website
5k
Angus Kirby 40:29
10k
Jo Tilby 2nd Female, 50:51
Mike Bending 53:03
Jamie Symonds 56:26
Liza Austin 56:32
Steph King 58:28
Tori Dickinson 1:01:00
Rob Martin 1:08:48
Christina La Monica 1:22:34
Half Marathon
Paul Lewis 2:19:50
