Trafford 10k race review: should you sign up for the next edition?

I took part in Run North West’s popular Trafford 10k race in March 2023 for the first time. Here’s everything you need to know about this race and my honest review of Trafford 10k.

Trafford 10k by Run North West: key information

Trafford 10k is traditionally held the first weekend of March in Partington, 10 miles away from Manchester city centre. This is a very popular race which usually sells out a couple months before the date of the event.

Whilst the race is known for attracting a stacked field of very fast runners (dozens finish under 30 minutes), it’s an event for everyone and all abilities are welcome.

I took part in the 2023 edition and I am talking about my experience, please keep in mind that some things may change for future editions of this race.

How much does the entry cost?

The Trafford 10k race entry is £20 for affiliated runners, otherwise £20. Add £1 online booking fee.

The cheapest available price is 48 hours after the race, when entries open for the following year: £19.50 (unaffiliated) / £17.50 (affiliated).

What time does the Trafford 10k race start?

The race starts at 9:30am but all runners are required to be on the start line at 9:20am.

How to collect your race number?

Race numbers are collected on race morning. If you want to collect yours in advance, you can pick it up before race day at the Run North West store in Wilmslow.

Trafford 10k race day

Race HQ

The race HQ is in the sports hall of Partington Sports Village (Chapel Lane, Partington M31 4ES) open from 7:45am. This is where race numbers are being collected.

There is also a bag drop, toilets and pop-up shops by Run North West.

Where does Trafford 10k start and finish?

In 2023 the race started on Chapel Lane by Cross Lane Park and finished on the same lane, just a little further up.

Is there a cut-off time?

Yes, the cut-off time is 11:10, due to roads re-opening. Runners entering the Trafford 10k need to be able to complete the race under 1 hour and 40 minutes.

How to know where to position yourself on the start line?

There are clear signs indicating estimated finish times for the fast runners (sub 30, sub 31 etc) and then pacers for other runners to know where to position themselves.

Are there pacers?

There are pacers from 35 minutes, every 2 and a half minutes up until 70 minutes, as well as a 75 minute pacer. For instance, instead of choosing between staying near the 40 or 45 minute pacer, you could join the pack around the 42:30 pacer.

Where are the water stations?

Water bottles were given away just after the 5km mark on the course and at the finish line.

Run North West also introduced the eco bottle system where you could bring your own water bottle which would be waiting for you at the finish.

What do you get at the finish line?

You get your well-deserved medal, water and the snacks were chocolate bars this year.

What is the course like?

The course is run on country lanes. The tarmac is fairly smooth all the way, but it’s best to stay in the middle of the road as the edges are uneven. There were a few potholes but nothing major.

The course is overall fairly flat, a little lumpy with some inclines but there were not steep and it was just for a few meters before going down again.

The first half is overall slightly uphill, but it’s not really noticeable when you run, it’s not like it’s a hilly course at all.

You can check the map and elevation on Strava here.

Watch the race footage in this video:

Can you get a PB at Trafford 10k?

Yes, absolutely! It is flat with very few turns. The lanes may not be very wide but you’ll be able to take over in most sections. I got a new 10k PB at Trafford 10k and improved my time by 1 minute and 25 seconds.

If you are an incredibly fast runner (sub 35 minute 10k), you have a very strong chance of breaking your PB because of how stacked the field is.

You’ll have plenty of runners at your level and you’re likely to be in a pack for longer than at other races, which will help.

Trafford 10k race review

These are my honest thoughts about the 2023 edition. Please note that things might change for future editions.

The positives

Very smooth organisation, with several parking spots, enough portable toilets to avoid huge queues and quick number collection system.
It was the least congested start I experienced in a while. They really did what they would to make each runner start where they were meant to, with the signs and the pacers.
I thought it was really good to have pacers every 2.5 minutes, because every 5 minutes is really a huge gap. Not only did it help many runners with their pacing but also gave a better chance of achieving PBs.
The race is very reasonably priced. RunThrough events are more expensive.
The race photos are free to download.

Any negatives?

There were no toilets immediately next to the start, just something to keep in mind if you need a last toilet stop before lining up.
I’m not sure whether there were other snacks available and I didn’t see them, but I only saw Cadbury chocolate bars at the finish. When my partner ran the race last year, he had vegan energy bars and I was expecting this kind of snacks. Something a bit more refuelling, like flapjacks or protein bars, would have been better than chocolate,

Would I recommend signing up for the next Trafford 10k race?

Yes, I think it’s a well-organised event, great value for money and you have a good chance at a PB! It’s also really inspiring to run the same race as so many elite runners. I’ve already signed up for the next edition!