The Donny Mile – 27th April 2024
by Alex Hird
On Saturday I made the trip down the A1 to Doncaster, for my 2nd track race in the space of a few days.
It’s the first time I’ve been to the facility, which is situated right next to the Doncaster Rovers football stadium, and it’s a cracking setup. I was told that it was built at the same time as the football stadium, and given to the athletics club, which now boasts over 700 members.
The event was a well attended open track and field meeting, starting early morning, and finished in the evening with the race I was in, “The Donny Mile”.
Eight of us lined up, and I did my usual and shot off to set the pace. I’d made the rookie mistake of not warming up on the track, so I didn’t appreciate the headwind down the home straight until my first lap. I led through the first two and a bit laps, with a group right behind me all the way, using me as a windshield.
The three who were sat behind me then kicked on and the winner went through in 4:39, with me finishing 4th in 4:44.25 (I’ve since been moved up to 3rd place following a disqualification for track infringement)
I came away a little bit disappointed, but motivated to do better at the next one.
Alex