Cabbage Patch 10 Mile Race – All You Need To Know

One of the UK’s few 10-mile races.

As one of the flattest, it’s also one of the fastest – previously won by Mo Farah (48:59), Mara Yamauchi (F 55:49) and Scott Overall (48:28).

Event Date and Time

Sunday, October 20th, 9 a.m. Tensions are high, and everybody is excited. Shoes are tightly laced, and muscles are warm. We’re expecting to see a good start as people from across the globe begin one of the more peculiarly-named races out there – the Cabbage Patch 10-Mile Race. Associated with the Stragglers Running Club, the Cabbage Patch 10 brings a ton of enthusiasts who want to run what is one of the flattest 10-mile courses in the country – meaning that if you want to test your speed and see what you can do without hills getting in your way, this could be the race for you.

Race Distances

As the name suggests, this is a 10-mile race over even, flat ground. The course loops around, starting and finishing in Twickenham, London. It crosses over the Thames at Richmond Bridge and Kingston Bridge and has proven an extremely popular race over the last decade. Don’t forget your running watch as you strike out on this new venture!

Entry Fee

The cost of entry is £30 for affiliated runners (£32 for non-affiliated). Unfortunately, if you have to drop out, the fee isn’t refundable… but you can transfer your entry. Rope a friend in to take your place! Just make sure you do so at least a week before the rainy day. There’s also an admin fee of £5.

In the interests of sustainability, the organizers have come up with a new strategy regarding t-shirts. The shirts are now sustainably produced, but if you’d rather not have one anyway, you can ask the organizers to donate that particular portion of your entry fee to planting a tree instead. The medal is also made of wood to avoid plastic!

Route Map

Want to take a quick look at the route map? You can find it here. It shows the 2024 course, which starts from Church Street, in a pedestrian area.

Nearby Attractions

There are plenty of cool things to see and do while you’re in the area, so after your race is finished – or before if you’re an especially early bird! – you should make time to check out Twickenham. The Eel Pie Island Museum is a great starting place, running through all you need to know about local information, celebrating artists, and teaching you about the history of the area. Find out about boatyards, music, and so much more!

If that’s not doing it for you, check out York House Gardens, with stunning statues and an untouched atmosphere. With roots in the 17th century, this place is ideal for the history lover, with several original features. It’s got a lovely tranquillity to offer, refreshing after the busyness of London proper. As the course finishes at York House, this could make an ideal post-run cool-down activity!

Nearby Hotels

For those looking to stay overnight, there are options aplenty. The London Twickenham Stadium Hotel, a member of Radisson Individuals, is a particularly popular spot; it’s eco-certified and has 4 stars.

Another option is the Alexander Pope Hotel, perfect for those looking for a picturesque approach. It’s got views of the river, a cosy bar, and excellent ratings.

Info For Viewers

Thinking of watching, not running? Since most of the course runs through Twickenham and the surrounding areas, it’s easy to watch, although you must be aware of the roads, and stick to pedestrian areas.

Watching a race can be just as much fun as participating directly; you get to stroll along (don’t forget the warm gear if you’re not going to be exercising!) and take in the sights, as well as assess the runners and try to figure out who you think is going to win. This race has some attractive prizes for various categories, including £1000 first prize for men and women, and some runner-up wins too. It can get pretty exciting trying to pinpoint exactly who’s going to take home the prize and why – it’s one of the reasons live bets are so popular for this kind of thing!

And you don’t have to be a running enthusiast yourself to enjoy watching others take to the roads and test their skill. This is a race where Richard Nerurkar managed to set a British record for 10 miles in 1993 – with a pretty incredible 46 minutes and 2 seconds… so expect to see some impressive stuff come race day!

Race Rules

Runners should note that they won’t be allowed to wear earphones or headphones during this race, since it partially takes place on roads, so safety dictates you need all your hearing.

In terms of run times, every runner will get a “personal time,” which is calculated from when they cross the start and finish lines. This is what will be used to determine who wins what prize!

Organizer Website & Entry Page

Those interested can check out the organizers’ website here and find their entry page here!