The Haltemprice 10k is one of the longest established local running races and has been a popular event for runners for over 30 years. Established by the founder member of Haltemprice Road Running Club, Dave Macdonald, in 1987, the race has become the “must do” autumn 10k race on the local racing calendar.
Dave himself was a notable long distance and ultra runner from the mid-1950’s onwards and was keen to add another race to the local scene. He would continue to be the driving force and race director through to his death in 2017. Dave was always a believer in the personal touch and would hand deliver most race entry forms to the previous year’s competitors to encourage them to come back the following year. He was also of the opinion that race prizes and souvenirs should be useful and not just put in a box or cupboard, hence the tradition of giving each runner a race mug, something that continues to this day. During his time as race director Dave traditionally gave crystal items as prizes, with serial winners amassing an impressive collection of decanters, vases, goblets etc. Dave openly admitted he sourced these items in the January sales in preparation for that year’s event. On more than one occasion, having engraved the items, he would find he had a few items left at the end of the presentation ceremony resulting in new prize categories being created or other prizes winners going home with a few “extras”!!
The first race took place on 8th November 1987 before moving to its customary date of the last Sunday in October the following year. The first winner of the event was George Baker (City of Hull) in 31:16, while the women’s race was won by Carol Wild (Hallamshire) in 36:56. This would prove to be George’s only victory at the event but for Carol it was the first of her four victories. the joint highest for a woman along with Daphne Ellemore (Wolds Vets).
While the course has undergone several revisions over the years, the events records stand to Andy Lyons (City of Hull) who ran 30:29 in 1991 and Jan Moody (Hull Achilles) who won in 36:19 in 1989. While the record of number of victories stands at four for the women, both Andy Lyons and Kris Lecher (City of Hull) have both recorded six wins apiece in the men’s race. Given the undulating nature of the course and the seemingly perennial headwind in the uphill first 5km, both course records will take some beating.
Following his death, the Haltemprice 10k was renamed the Dave Macdonald Haltemprice 10k and 2023 will be the 37th consecutive running of the event (even Covid didn’t get in the way!). Now in the hands of Kingston Upon Hull AC and sponsored by Hull Self Store, the race looks forward to welcoming you for many years to come.
Many thanks to Andy Lyons for helping to bring this history page to life. If you have any information that you think could contribute to this history page please feel free to contact a member of KUHAC Running Club
