The Linda Franks Race 2025

The Linda Franks Race is a five mile road race in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Organised by local club, Almost Athletes, it is fast, flat and very competitive – attracting some of the fastest runners and clubs in the area. It is also the first race of the year on our club’s annual road race series. I enjoyed running it last year and was looking forward to running it again.

The weather was very cold, although not frosty. After some deliberation, I’d decided to run in my vest with a base layer underneath and cropped leggings. I couldn’t face shorts when it was only 1 degree Celsius! Bone conducting headphones were allowed, so I’d prepared myself a short playlist consisting of just Yungblud, Kenickie and Chappell Roan, plus Stick Season, which would give me the motivation I needed to run hard.

For me, a five mile race (or a 10k) just means running a fast parkrun, then running it again. There is no difference in my pace between a parkrun and a 10k. I was pleased with last year’s time of 37:03, but did feel like I might die at the end! I had no idea whether Linda Franks 2025 would be faster or slower. I’ve started going to the gym twice a week and been attending the club’s speed endurance training fairly consistently, but there were no sessions for three weeks over Christmas and new year.

The Linda Franks Race is a very well organised race, supported by a huge team of volunteers – mainly from Almost Athletes. It takes place in the quiet area of Hatherley, on the outskirts of Cheltenham. Parking is on an industrial estate, then it’s a 10 minute walk to race HQ in a village hall. Numbers are picked up in the hall and there is a decent number of toilets. A race briefing and an introduction to this year’s charity – CCP – was held before we all set off for the start line.

The start line is a two minute walk from race HQ, in a quiet cul-de-sac. The race started at 9am on the dot and the many fast runners disappeared into the distance. Linda Franks is a two-lap race. There is a short, gradual climb for about a quarter of a mile then the route turns right onto the main lap. The whole race is through the housing estate,  mainly on quiet roads, which were open, but there was hardly any traffic. The only noticeable incline is running up and over a railway bridge. There are a couple of little loops on the course, so there is slightly more changes of direction than ideal. But I was happy I was running well.

I could see my husband just ahead, and the distance between us didn’t really change. He had no idea I was there! I was right on the shoulder of a lady from our club, who is a very good runner and a few years younger than me. I went to overtake her once and she clocked me and sped up. But I stayed right on her shoulder.

We finished the lap and started on the second lap. I seemed to be getting round the course pretty quickly. I knew I was running fast, but I was feeling good. Massive credit to the running club coach who advised we did an easier speed endurance session on Thursday and said to do a very slow parkrun the day before. Normally the day before a 10k race I would probably do a slightly slower parkrun of 25 or 26 minutes, but I did 31 minutes the day before Linda Franks.

After 3.75 miles, I overtook the lady from our club again and this time I stayed ahead. She even told me to go for it. So I did. And I just kept going. I could see my husband just ahead and I knew I was closing the gap. At Guy Fawkes 5 (miles) last year, he beat me by just 11 seconds, yet he can beat me by nearly that much just running a couple of laps of a track!

I turned right for the final straight to the finish line. I knew it wasn’t far, but how far was it? I saw a friend from the club just ahead speed up and I knew it wasn’t far, so I had one final push. I was finishing on the song I’d hoped to finish on – god save me, but don’t drown me out by Yungblud – but I’d added another song just in case I needed it. I hadn’t really been checking my time, but I could see the clock on the finish line started with a 35.

I crossed the line in 35:36 – nearly 1:30 faster than last year – and just 11 seconds behind my husband again. He was very surprised to see me! And, unlike last year, I didn’t feel like I was going to die. I felt like I’d given it all, but I felt strong.

Results are printed off on little stickers by Lush Timing. I couldn’t read mine because my eyesight isn’t good enough, so I got a younger person to read it for me. I was first in my age category! I came first in my age category at three races last year – Dymock half marathon, Cirencester 10k and Bugatti 10k – but I didn’t expect it at Linda Franks. Linda Franks attracts a really high calibre of runner, so I was very pleased.

The winning time was an incredible 23:37 – a huge course record. The first lady finished in 29:12.

Medals were back at the village hall, along with cakes and hot drinks in return for donations to CCP. And there was a presentation for all prize winners. Winning my age category was a great start to the running year for me.