Final Grand Prix Race of 2023. Will I end on a high?
Even though it has only been 5 weeks since the Dereham 5k, it seems like months. I guess this is because all of the other 2023 Sportlink Grand Prix races were much closer together (with 3 days being the shortest gap).
So here we are. Tomorrow it’s the turn of the Bure Valley Harriers to host their Bure Valley 10 Mile Race, the 14th, and (sadly) final, Sportlink Grand Prix race of the 2023 season. (It looks like there are still a few places available if you fancy it… you can enter at Total Race Timing.)
Starting and finishing in the North Norfolk village of Banningham, my presumption is that it will be a gently undulating route around the surrounding country roads. If the weather is favourable, I suspect fast times will be the order of the day.
And speaking of the weather, the current forecast is a sunny 16° C, with a moderate breeze. So fingers crossed conditions will be near perfect.
Predictions
Below is a table of predictions from various algorithms / sources. Note that the Athlete Data Analysis Platform and Running Watch do not provide 10 mile race predictions, and so I have had to derive values from their 10 km and half marathon distance predictions.
| Algorithm | Pace (min/km) | Time (mm:ss) | Difference from fastest (%) |
| Riegel (6 min Assessment) | 4:37 | 74:17 | – 11.3 % |
| Riegel (3.2 km Assessment) | 4:28 | 71:53 | – 8.4 % |
| Athlete Data Analysis Platform | 4:21 | 70:00 | – 5.9 % |
| Running Watch | 4:14 | 68:07 | – 3.2 % |
| TrainAsONE | 4:07 | 66:15 | – 0.5 % |
| Riegel (5 km Race) | 4:06 | 66:06 | – |
Given that my last 10 mile race was completed in 66:33 (a personal record), I would have thought that a sub 70 minute time is probable.
Consequently, as has been the case for the whole season, the assessment predictions are suggesting quite a slow (and unlikely?) time for me. And, as has been common, the Athlete Data Analysis Platform and Running Watch are suggesting times somewhere between my expectation and the assessments.
Another 10 mile PB? TrainAsONE thinks so.
At 66:06, the 5 km Riegel prediction is the fastest, with TrainAsONE a close second with a time of 66:15. It is nice to see them concur. It gives faith in their values, and is especially nice as they both predict a personal record time! The game is on!
Wish me luck!
(I’ll let you know how it goes.)
