Race Report: Derby 10 Mile 2025

2025 has been a good racing year for me and despite a few minor niggles sometimes testing the progression, steering clear of injury for the majority has been a big plus.

This has allowed me to enter more events than I've ever done, with my washing machine constantly spinning after being graced by the frequent presence of a sweat-filled KADS vest.

ParkRuns, 4&5-mile road races, 10ks, DRL events, cross-countries, relays, a half marathon and even a (mini) fell race, I've loved doing them all, but one distance I hadn't covered race-wise was the 10-mile, not for around 15 years in fact!

Enter Sunday's Derby 10, my latest outing representing the mighty KADS. I felt prepped and ready for this one, but although the 10-mile distance was a regular marker for long training runs, I was unsure of the race pace I'd be capable of. 'Do I go out at HM for a strong finish or 10k and maybe regret it later?' Needless to say I opted for the latter.

It's always good to see fellow KADS out there and I was glad to stand on the start line alongside several with pace levels I had knowledge of and could use as a guide, for a short while anyway!

So off we went! With adrenaline kicking in and being submerged by swathes of runners all trying to slot into position, the start, as it always does, felt fast. Too fast, I thought as I powered (surprisingly comfortably) through the first mile in 6mins 43secs.

'Good start, but I'll never keep this up,' my mind was saying. 'It will calm down in a bit!' But it didn't, and with the heart rate remaining stable I seemed to be happy trading blows with the runners around me for the next two miles, which were both clocked at 6.47. 

I was also buoyed by not only the power of my new contact lenses, but also the (ever diminishing, but still visible) sight of Aston and a baseball-capped Rich Myres running side-by-side in the distance, which told me I was going pretty well.

By mile 5 and two more unexpected 6.46/6.47 splits, I was well into my own race feeling rather pleased with myself, but I couldn't quite shake off the monkey on my shoulder which was constantly telling me it was a 10 'miles' and not 10k. Doubts that I could keep up the pace surfaced, as well as the even worse prospect of a painful last three miles.

Despite the negative thoughts I managed both the next two miles in 6.53, with the mind more relaxed thanks to the more peaceful rural surroundings of Elvaston Park keeping me distracted. The field had also stretched out too, which added to the tranquility. Only three to go now!

This was the section I most feared as I had been unsure if I had the strength in the legs, but three miles is just a ParkRun right? It's amazing what a 'glass half full' approach can do for you psychologically.

As it happened, miles 8 and 9 were in fact the toughest, but both achieved at just under 7-minute-mile, with the only target now to maintain that to the finish. Digging in, the legs were tiring, but I knew that if I could manage the 'obligatory' sprint at the end (well in my mind it's sprinting), I'd be more than happy.

Cheered on from the sidelines by Stu Laurie who was proudly donning his finishers medal, I tried to ignore the hideous sight of a lower league football stadium in front of me (Forest fans will understand), as the course swept left, swept right, and the same again as I attempted to imitate Lewis Hamilton taking on the chicanes of Silverstone.

Crossing the finish line in 1hr 8mins 20secs was an unexpected pleasure, as I caught my breath and made my way over to cheer on the rest of my fellow KADS, pleased with the morning's work. Also, the rare 'double treat' of a finisher's medal and a t-shirt just added to what had been a great event. Special thanks to Jo Myers for the pics!

Next goal is to keep up the progress while also navigating the temptations of Christmas, which as we all know is not an easy feat.

​Dan Bailey