Race Report
RW’S Andy Dixon finds there’s no place like home when he runs the YMCA North London 10K
YMCA North London 10K
IT WAS AN OFFER I really couldn’t refuse, though not in any kind of sinister,
Godfather way: all I had to do was take part in a race three miles from my home. In fact, I used to live a mere stone’s throw from Priory Park, in Crouch End, north London, where this 10K starts and finishes. However, I never managed to do it. I was running big destination races at the time, and maybe it just felt too close to home. Little did I know what a fantastic event was taking place less than half a mile from my doorstep – a day-long community festival with running at its heart that has been taking place for 27 years. Indeed, it’s more than just a race – it’s become a local institution.
The adult 10K race – which had a staggered start – kicked things off first thing in the morning, after which a series of one-mile fun runs for children of all ages and the festival – with a music stage, local food stalls and children’s activities – got going in the park and continued until early evening.
The 10K is a two-lapper that snakes around residential streets before rising and cutting across the park in front of Alexandra Palace (thankfully not going up to it, as it sits on top of the area’s steepest hill). The route is still not flat, though, and there are a couple of narrow alley sections early on that meant you had to be on the lookout for bollards and kerbs appearing suddenly through the crowd in front of you. It was rough and ready, but pretty exciting for all that – a bit like being in a movie chase scene, albeit with hundreds of others trying to get in on the Hollywood-style action. Once in Alexandra Park you could get into more of a rhythm before returning to the streets for the second lap.
The local feel of the event was strengthened by the fact there were lots of runners in YMCA vests – the race is organised by the local branch, with proceeds from the day helping to support young homeless people. London Heathside vests were also numerous – this North London club also supports the 10K.
After the race I scoffed the free doughnut from a local baker to restock my glycogen stores (at least that’s what I told myself I was doing) as 10K finishers, fun-runner children and locals packed out the park in the spring sunshine. I had something to get to later on, which was a shame, because this is an event to bring your family to and make a day of it.