
Last weekend I took part in the ASDA Foundation Hull 10k which is part of the Run for all race series. It’s been a good few years since I last took part in this event and I don’t remember that much about it other than it was baking hot.
This year was slightly different though, as I’d been asked to be one of the official pacers, which I was really excited about.
Before the race
It was an early start; I arrived at the event village at 7:30 a.m. to collect my race number. It wasn’t long before a few other pacers arrived. “You’re dressed in all black; you must be pacing too?” seemed to be the standard opening line.
After collecting our flags, we took a team photo in the sponsors’ t-shirts before heading to the VIP area, where we enjoyed refreshments and used the posh loos while awaiting the start.

Race Day Schedule
There were two races that day: the half marathon starting at 9 a.m., followed by the 10K at 9:45 a.m. We were pacing in pairs, which made it seem less intimidating. Dave and I were pacing an 80-minute (1 hr 20) 10k.
This was my first time pacing a race. While I hadn’t practiced running at that speed, I felt confident I could maintain it. We were advised to finish 30 seconds under our flag time, ensuring those running behind us could still meet their targets.
Warm-Up and Runner Engagement
As we positioned ourselves in the pens for the warm-up, we had quite a large group with us. Always eager to hear people’s running stories, I chatted with several participants. A few ladies had followed a Couch to 5k program and were excited to run their first 10k today.
The Race Course
The race begins in the city center, setting off from Alfred Gelder Street to Citadel Way, South Bridge Road, and skirting Victoria Park. From there, we passed Hull’s famous The Deep museum and did a full lap of the picturesque marina, eventually returning to Whitefriargate, past the City Hall, and finishing grandly outside the Guildhall.
There are many out-and-back sections on this course. Personally, I don’t mind them as they allow you to see other runners, but I know they’re not for everyone.

Race Experience
When the gun went off, it didn’t take long before we crossed the start line. I switched my Garmin to kilometers, finding it easier to calculate an 8-minute km than a 12:48-minute mile. We were joined by some fancy dress participants—Super Mario, who runs it every year with his musical bucket, and Scooby Doo and Shaggy, with the rest of the cast in tow.
Hats off to anyone who runs in costume! It was a warm day, but a nice breeze along the River Humber helped keep us cool.
Pacing Responsibilities
“By my watch, we’ve nailed it there, Dave!” We hit each KM flag right on target. Pacing is a true multitasking effort: watching the clock, encouraging and motivating other runners (without being annoying), pointing out obstacles, and informing everyone about upcoming water stations. I found that pacing in pairs encouraged more runners to chat with us, making the miles fly by.
It was challenging at times; as I chatted with other runners, they shared their stories and reasons for running that day. I desperately wanted to stick with them to the end, but we were committed to our set pace. Some runners caught up with us, while others slipped away, but I genuinely hope we were a source of support to them during the race.
A few “silent stalkers” kept pace with us, including one man who caught up on the finishing straight. He shared that he’d been focused on our flags the whole way around and was determined to finish just ahead of us, which was a lovely moment. We offered him some much-needed encouragement as he passed.
The Result: A Rewarding Experience
I’m happy to report an official finish time of 1:19:30—spot on the required pace! I loved every minute of it; helping others is far more rewarding than achieving a personal best.