Middlesex 10k race review | 10k race in Victoria Park London

I took part in the Middlesex 10k race for the first time this year (2023). Here’s my honest race review and what you need to know if you’re planning on entering this race in the future.

About Middlesex 10k

This race takes place every year around the same time at Victoria Park, East London. It is open to everyone, but it incorporates the Middlesex County 10k Championship for those who were born in Middlesex or have lived in the county for 9 months. It started at 10:30am in 2023.

What is the course like?

It’s a little over 3 laps of Victoria Park, which is flat with fairly wide paths. The race is fully on tarmac, with the last 30m or so (finish funnel) on the grass.

The start line is located on the Northern Drive, close to the Burdett-Coutts Drinking Fountain. After 3 laps, the race finishes by Victoria Park Harriers Club House, which is also the race HQ.

You can check the course and all the details on Strava here.

How much does the entry cost?

The entry fee is £10 for non-affiliated runners and £8 if you are affiliated.

How to pick up your race number?

My race number was sent out via the post, but I imagine that for late entries, collection was possible at the race HQ on the day.

What do you get at the finish?

Water and snacks are available for free. Only those who qualified to compete in the Country championship and finished in the top 3 in their age category receive a medal.

You can then purchase drinks and cakes at the race HQ.

My honest review of Middlesex 10k

Overall it was a great experience and I’m glad I entered it, especially because I got a new 10k PB!

The race was greatly organised and receiving my race number in the post meant that I didn’t have to register anywhere, I could just arrive at the start line shortly before the start.

I thought the park might get quite busy as we started at 10:30am, but the paths are wide and there didn’t seem to have any issues. I personally didn’t have to dodge any park walker or cyclist.

The course itself isn’t the most scenic but there’s some great support from spectators and volunteers on the course. It’s also flat with smooth tarmac and you definitely have a shot at a PB.

The strength of the field varies, the race this year was won in 32 minutes vs 30 minutes in 2022, but you’ll likely find a pack to run with for at least the first half.

The GPS is fairly accurate except on one side of the park, where it drops out quite significantly for a few hundred meters (after you’ve passed the VP Club House, on Cadogan Terrace side)

But to me the real downside of this race is that it was gun time only. I find that when it’s the case, everyone wants to start at the front to have the most accurate finish time, and not only does it cause chaos but it’s also not fair for the runners who are at the back and won’t get an official time that reflects their real performance.

I honestly wish all races were chip-timed and I’d be willing to pay a higher entry fee for this one if it meant that we could have chip timing on the day.

Watch some clips of the race and my debrief in this vlog: