Abbie Donnelly breaks own female course record at City of Lincoln 10K

Abbie Donnelly set a new female course record once again at the City of Lincoln 10K in a thrilling race at Lincoln’s biggest road running event.

Only one second split the first and second placed men’s runners at the City of Lincoln 10K finish line. First across the finish line was Jordan Skelly in a time of 30 minutes and 19 seconds, taking the crown for the second year running. Lewis Jagger took second place in 30 minutes and 20 seconds with Daniel Haymes in third in 30 minutes and 41 seconds. 

Donnelly was the first female runner across the finish line in 31 minutes and 41 seconds followed by Laura Kaye who clocked in at 35 minutes and 48 seconds for second place and Katie Harbon who took third in 35 minutes and 52 seconds.

Donnelly, who runs for Lincoln Wellington Athletics Club, enjoyed another record-breaking race at Sunday’s City of Lincoln 10K, retaining the title as the fastest female across the finish line. Abbie’s achievement is her fifth year in a row taking home the title as the fastest female.

While doing so, this year’s female winner also set the fastest time ever in a Run For All 10K female race, as well as a City of Lincoln 10K female course record with a time of 31 minutes and 42 seconds, taking 1 minute and 12 seconds off her previous best.

The city of Lincoln came alive as runners of all abilities and ages came together to take part in the City of Lincoln 10K. 

Fun runners, fundraisers and club runners laced up their trainers for what is now very much a firm favourite in the region’s running calendar. 

Organised by Run For All in partnership with the City of Lincoln Council, the race kicked off at 10.00am on Riseholme Road and finished outside the steps of the historic Lincoln Cathedral. 

The course then followed a route Longsdales Road, Nettleham Road, Church Lane, Newport, Yarborough Crescent, Burton Road, Queen Elizabeth Road and back along Riseholme Road.

Runners then headed back down Longdales Road and onto Ravendale Drive, Laughton Way, Cabourne Avenue and then onto Nettleham Road for the final stretch before they crossed the finish line. 

Some came for a personal challenge, a few hoped to win and others simply aimed to get around the 10K course, but all helped make the City of Lincoln 10K a brilliant success, with thousands of pounds raised for many local and national charities. 

As part of the event, runners have been encouraged to fundraise for their own charity of choice or one of the event’s partner charities. This year’s partner charities include; the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Sophie’s Journey and Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance.

The newly branded, City of Lincoln 10K University of Lincoln Team Challenge also took place today. Sitting alongside the main event of the day, the Team Challenge saw teams battle it out to be crowned Team Challenge Champions. 

Rather than competing as individuals, teams worked collectively to cross the line in the quickest combined time. Results will be announced in due course. 

The Arena Group City of Lincoln Mini and Junior runs also took place earlier today. Families and friends of all abilities came together for a morning of sporting and fun, some running the Mini 1.5Km course and others the 2.5km junior course. 

A great way for parents and children to stay active and healthy together, children were encouraged to fund-raise for the event’s main partner charity, Sophie’s Journey. 

Sophie’s Journey was set up in memory of Sophie Robinson from Lincoln, who sadly passed away in January 2016, aged 12, after a two-year battle with medulloblastoma – an aggressive tumour in her brain. Using two dedicated caravans at Golden Sands Holiday Park in Mablethorpe, Sophie’s Journey provides free holidays to Lincolnshire children living with cancer and their families.  

Tristan Batley-Kyle, Director of Operations at Run For All said: “We want to say a huge well done and thank you to all runners who joined us today. With the addition of the City of Lincoln 10K University of Lincoln Team Challenge and Arena Group City of Lincoln Mini and Junior runs, it has been an action-packed day of running and fundraising for all those involved

Supporters out on course really added to the community spirit element of the day and we want to take this opportunity to thank our fantastic marshals, volunteers, sponsors and partners who helped to make the event a tremendous experience for all those taking part. 

We are already looking forward to next year’s event and we look forward to welcoming our runners back to the start line.”The City of Lincoln 10K is supported by City of Lincoln Council, High 5, Arla Protein, Up and Running, BBC Radio Lincolnshire, The Business Desk, Coopah, Marathon Photos Live, Shokz and Upp – Next level broadband.

Organised by Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All, the Leicester 10K forms part of the Run For All series of runs which, along with Leicester, includes events in Sheffield, Bury, Middlesbrough, Hull, Leeds, York, Derby, King’s Lynn, Ipswich and Lincoln.

Entries for next year’s City of Lincoln 10K are now open.