The Best Autumn 10k Races in the UK

In this guide, I’ve picked some of the best autumn 10ks month by month, from fast road races to scenic trail options. If you’d rather explore the best races across the whole year, take a look at this guide instead.

Best September 10k races

Cardiff 10k

The Cardiff 10k is a good choice if you want a big event and a fast course. The route is very flat - excellent PB potential here! - and takes you past landmarks including Cardiff Castle and the Principality Stadium.

Vitality London 10,000

This is one of the biggest autumn 10ks, with an electric race-day atmosphere. Like Cardiff, the course is mostly flat and passes some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

Loch Ness 10k

If city centre races aren’t your thing - but you also don’t fancy hitting the trails - the Loch Ness 10k might be the one for you. The route follows the River Ness into Inverness and forms part of the wider Loch Ness Marathon weekend, so a great race day atmosphere is guaranteed.

Devil's Punchbowl 10k

Devil’s Punchbowl 10K is a great introduction to trail running because you won’t be tackling the route alone. The run is guided by an experienced ultra runner, so you can learn as you go and enjoy the scenery without having to worry about navigation. The route explores the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a dramatic natural amphitheatre in the Surrey Hills.

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Best October 10k races

Bidwell's Cambridge 10k

Bidwells Cambridge Town and Gown 10k is a long-running city race that raises money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. It’s the only closed-road 10k race in the city, and the whole event has a very Cambridge feel, from the university setting to the mix of students, locals, and club runners at the start line.

Hampton Court Palace 10k

Hampton Court Palace 10K lets you race through the grounds of one of Britain’s most famous royal palaces. The route also follows the Thames Path and goes through Home Park, giving you a mix of history, riverside running, and open parkland in one 10k.

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Jarrow 10k

This is one of the more performance-focused races in this guide. It splits the field into a sub-40 A race and a 40+ B race, which makes it especially good if you want to run hard without getting swallowed up by a huge mass-participation field.

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ASICS LDNX 10k

ASICS LDNX 10K is one of the newer races in this guide, but there’s already plenty of hype around it. The route starts around Wembley, heads out towards Fryent Country Park, then returns past the stadium before finishing on Olympic Way beneath the famous arch. There’s even an afterparty at BOXPARK!

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Run Aintree 10k

Run Aintree 10K takes place entirely within Aintree Racecourse, which makes it a bit different from most road races on the calendar. While the flat course is ideal for quick running, the event welcomes runners of all abilities, so you'll fit in no matter your pace.

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Great Scottish Run 10k

The Great Scottish Run 10k brings thousands of runners into central Glasgow for one of Scotland’s biggest race weekends. It’s a great choice if you want a big autumn race without stepping up to the half marathon.

Best November 10k races

Leeds Abbey Dash

Leeds Abbey Dash is the obvious November race for anyone attempting to set a new PB. The route passes Kirkstall Abbey, then returns to the city centre, and the race is now the England Athletics 10K Championship, attracting a fast field alongside plenty of everyday runners.

Battersea Park 10k

Battersea Park is a favourite with London runners because it’s simple, quick and easy to race hard. The November edition is a good chance to take advantage of cooler conditions, and the lapped course means you’ll get plenty of support from the same spectators, more than once.

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Run Alton Towers 10k

Run Alton Towers gives you a unique opportunity to race through one of the UK’s best-known theme parks. The 10K takes place entirely inside the resort, winding past the rides and attractions, and your entry includes access to the park afterwards. It’s a fun one to make a day of.

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MoRun 10k Series

It wouldn’t feel right to write about November 10ks without including MoRun, an event series that’s become synonymous with the month. The races take place across the UK to raise money and awareness for men’s health through Movember, and the atmosphere is deliberately light-hearted, with lots of moustaches, fancy dress and fundraising along the way.

Explore MoRun events here.

Windsor Trail 10k

Windsor Trail 10K is a good pick if you want to swap city streets for riverside paths and parkland. The route starts from Alexandra Gardens and takes you through Windsor, with views towards the magnificent Windsor Castle.

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Planning an autumn PB attempt

The sweet spot for an autumn PB is usually in October or early November, when the summer heat has mellowed but winter hasn't set in yet. It also gives you the summer to build your fitness when the weather is good and the days are long.

That said, it entirely depends on your preferred race conditions. If you like warmer weather, go for September; if you like it cool and don’t mind a bit of rain, November might be best.

An autumn 10k can also fit neatly into a longer-term plan. For anyone considering a spring marathon, it gives you a clear goal before winter training begins, without demanding the same recovery time as a longer race.

For more detail on building towards the distance, see our 10k training guide.

Ready to book your next 10k?

If one of these autumn races has caught your eye, you can browse all 10k races in the UK and filter by date, location, and race type to see what’s coming up.

Want to look beyond autumn? My guide to the best 10k races in the UK covers the strongest options across the whole year. And if you’ve already picked your race, our 10k training guide can help you get ready for the start line.

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Related guides:

• The ultimate race day checklist
  
• What to eat before a 10k
• A runner's guide to hydration
• 10k training plan
• The fastest 10k races in the North West
• The fastest 10k races in the East Midlands
• The fastest 10k races in the South West
• The fastest 10k races in Scotland