Torbay Velopark, in Paignton, is the only outdoor closed road circuit in Devon and Cornwall, catering for amateur and professional cycling events and other sporting activities. The track is 1.5K per lap and the venue hosts the weekly parkrun, where the typical number of finishers is over 200.

On Saturday 15 June 2024, there was an extra running event at the Velopark with the VX3 Torbay Twilight 10K starting at 6:00pm – a double dip opportunity for some local runners! Unlike the parkrun, which leaves the cycle race circuit after two laps for a tour of the adjacent Clennon Field and Clennon Lake, the Torbay Twilight 10K sticks to the track for six and three-quarter laps.

Local sportswear company VX3 – standing for Veni, Vidi, Vici – was the headline sponsor, supplied the commemorative technical T-shirts, and had a pop-up shop for any last-minute purchases. Sponsors included the Eden Motor Group with a display of their latest cars and pre-event and post-event massage was available from Personal Best Therapy.

Entries were limited to 200 and were fully sold out. The event always attracts top athletes who appreciate the flat, smooth tarmac as they attempt to blitz their PBs. The potential monotony of completing almost seven identical laps is relieved by a cheering crowd at the Event Village near the finish line, where food and beverages are available. Runners pass their own on-course refreshments table seven times and are entertained with music over the loudspeakers.

Tamar Trotters' Jacob Landers (32:06) and Michael Wilsmore (32:20) battled for the victory with Adam Holland (Tavistock AC, 33:28) finishing third. Landers ran 2:28:40 in the 2022 London Marathon; Wilsmore is a former England international middle-distance runner, and Holland has won more marathons and ultramarathons than anyone else in the UK!

The top three women were Nikki Kelly (Tavistock AC, 38:43), Rachel Sanders (South West Road Runners, 40:27 PB) and Victoria France (unattached, 41:23 PB). Kelly has an impressive 35:56 PB from Bideford last year. Sanders and France set new standards as they moved closer to the 40-minute threshold for 10K.

Results are available at the runABC South race listing here.

Photo of Torbay Tri Club courtesy Torbay Twilight 10K on Facebook