Newport Pagnell 5K

Katie Godof and I embarked on what is probably now the quickest 5k in the region these days. We entered ‘the serious one’ and I believe Phil Catcheside entered ’the fun one’.

The race has only been going a few years and leads out ahead of the carnival route ending in the park, the route is pretty flat with an overall slight drop and mostly runs west to east so the wind can often be kind to you.

Normally popular with Olney Runners, this year there were fewer but some of the areas serious clubs came out in force with a flock of strong runners from the marshals as well as some of the best of Stopsley and Bedford and County. The swath of sub elites on show meant the top 5 all scored low 15 minute times and indeed the top 60 were all under 20 minutes.



Despite the strong field Katie still managed a superb second place only defeated by the indefatigable Elle Roche. I managed to shave a good 28 seconds off my PB so it was another good day out, and a really well organised event. The crowds through Newport Pagnell are superb and if there is a 5k worth paying good hard cash for, it’s this one. PB hunters should get this one in their diaries for next year.

Write up by Chris Ling