The Best 10k Races in the UK

You might not think it possible to have a definitive list when it comes to 10k races but we’ve got the man for the job. Are you looking for Scenic, Cheap, Smashing your PB, Off-Road and Hill running. Geoff Wightman of UK Athletics reveals the best 10k races.

Kielder 10k
Best 10k Races For: Jaw-Dropping Scenery

PIC: Andrew McCann

Where: Kielder, Northumberland
When: 3 October 2015
Website: Kieldermarathon.com

“The organisers put on a marathon alongside this 10k, which runs by a picturesque reservoir,” says Geoff. “Both races sell out quickly, because of the limit on numbers and the absolutely breathtaking scenery.”

Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash
Best For: Smashing Your PB

Where: Leeds
When: 22 November 2015
Website: Ageuk.org

“Last November this race produced 86 of the 250 fastest times completed by British men and women in 2014. The course is flat, fast, and runs straight through Leeds city centre.”

Ridge Off-Roader 10k
Best For: Hardcore Hill Running

Where: High Wycombe, Bucks
When: 26 April 2015
Website: Ridgeoffroader.co.uk

“If you’re looking for a more challenging 10k, this is most definitely the race for you and well worth its place on the best 10k races list”

Sutton Beast
Best For: Cheap-As-Chips Entry Fee

Where: Sutton, Ely, Cambridgeshire
When: 21 June 2015
Website: Suttonbeast.com

“This fun community event costs just £10 to enter. The 10k course is mainly flat, but does have a tester of a hill near the end. Runners’ families can also enter a 2.5k fun run that takes place just after the main race. For price alone, the Sutton Beast makes it into our best 10k races list”

Cardiff 10k
Best For: Pre- And Post-Race Sightseeing

Where: Cardiff
When: 6 September 2015
Website: Cardiff10k.com

“This year marks the 30th running of this fantastic race, which starts and finishes in Cardiff’s historic city centre.”

Edinburgh Marathon Festival
Best for: Fair-Weather Runners

Where: Edinburgh
When: 30 May 2015
Website: Edinburgh-marathon.com

“The Edinburgh Marathon Festival includes a range of distances, from 10k runs up to marathons, plus some really fun team relays. It’s famously enjoyed an amazing run of glorious weather in recent years.”

parkrun
Best For: Total Newbies

Where: Nationwide
When: Every Saturday
Website: parkrun.org

“Obviously, this isn’t a 10k run, but these free-to-enter, volunteer-run 5k races, which take place in 300 venues around Britain every Saturday morning at 9am (9.30am in Scotland) are the best entry-point for men and women who haven’t run an organised race before.”

Orpington High Elms 10k
Best For: Rugged Off-Road Running

PIC: Will Bisley

Where: Orpington, Kent
When: 14 June 2015
Website: Orprunners.com

“According to the organisers, this route around the scenic nature trails of High Elms Country Park has been ‘designed by a sadist’. Add at least five minutes to your usual road time!”

Bristol 10k
Best For: Spectators

Where: Bristol
When: 31 May 2015
Website: Runbristol.com

“Thousands of cheering spectators line the route of this – one of the very best 10k runs – which takes runners out of Bristol town centre, along the river Avon, beneath the Clifton Suspension Bridge and back again.”

Bupa London 10,000
Best For: Rubbing Shoulders With Elite Athletes

Where: London
When: 25 May 2015
Website: London10000.com

“Mo Farah has won this race for five of the past six years, and Paula Radcliffe and Jo Pavey have also taken part. If that isn’t enticement enough, the event finishes in spectacular fashion, on The Mall.”

Details of all these races can be found at Runbritain.com, including full results from previous years.