Free pork pie, free hot chocolate and a medal – what more could you want? That is exactly what you get at the finish line of the Doncaster City 10k.
It was a chilly morning as we gathered at Doncaster Racecourse, but the cold did nothing to deter the 3500 runners lined up and ready to go.
I was pacing, so I arrived nice and early to meet the rest of the team and pick up my flag. The Racecourse makes race day so easy. There is loads of parking, toilets and indoor space to keep warm before the race starts.
The race begins
Right on 10am we were off. The course is mostly flat, fast and fully on closed roads. The chilly morning actually helped because it kept everyone moving at a good pace.
There is a cheeky slope around 7.5k but honestly, blink and you have done it. You get a loop through Doncaster city centre with great support and a few out and back sections, which are brilliant for spotting other runners.
One of my favourite bits is the Racehorse name. When you enter, you pick a racehorse name, and that is what gets shouted as you cross the finish line. It adds to the fun and it makes you smile at the end when you hear it.
My 65 minute pacing
I was pacing 65 minutes this year and I absolutely loved it. The group around me were brilliant, everyone settled into a nice rhythm early on and the miles ticked by smoothly. I hit the target bang on, which is always satisfying. Pacing makes races feel completely different, you get to help people hit their goals rather than chasing your own, and it is always such a lovely vibe.
The finish line treats
The medal is fab, but the hot chocolate with all the toppings waiting for you at the end really hits the spot on a cold morning! Then there is the iconic pork pie, which Doncaster runners now basically expect and appreciate every single year.
It is such a welcoming finish, and one of the reasons this event wins Best Yorkshire 10k at the National Running Awards every single year.
Top 3 male and female results
Men
Daniel James, 31:25
Adam Theaker, 31:29
Daniel Reeve, 31:30
Women
Georgina Weston, 36:33
Sophie George, 37:19
Raissa Machado, 37:22
Should you sign up?
Absolutely. If you want a friendly Yorkshire 10k with bags of atmosphere, easy logistics, closed roads, a fast route and some very tasty finish line treats, the Doncaster City 10k should be at the top of your list.
Just something to be aware of though, the racecourse car park only reopens once the roads reopen, so it can be a bit of a slow exit afterwards. No drama, just worth knowing.
Fancy giving it a go next year? You can check out all the details and grab your place on the Doncaster City 10k website. If you are looking for a 10k training plan to get you ready, I use Runna for all my training. You can try it yourself with my code RWR2.
Doncaster 10k FAQs
Yes, it is mostly flat with one tiny slope around 7.5k. It is a great race for beginners and anyone chasing a PB.
Yes, and you also get a free hot chocolate and a pork pie at the finish which is honestly part of the fun.
Both are at Doncaster Racecourse which makes everything really easy, especially on a chilly morning.
Yes, the Racecourse has loads of parking. Just be aware it can queue after the race as the car park only reopens once the roads open again.