What
an Ace Race!
My first 5k… I’d run 1500m competitively at school,
and as an adult I’ve run most distances from 10k to Marathons, but never
a 5k…
then Mik Escolme started banging on about the Hanley Park Run. So after a
couple of weekend where I was unable to join in, last Saturday I took
the
plunge and went along with Liz O’Keefe and Chris Coppenhall to give it a
go.
 |
| Go! Race start at the inaugural Hanley Parkrun |
Arriving at the park, we wandered to the start area
and slowly the other runners trickled in and just before 9am the race
director
gave the pre-race briefing (it is friendly, low-key and very
straightforward;
and obviously run by volunteers, but in a very good way it must be
said). We had
a “Three, Two, One – GO!” countdown, and set off on what has to be
described as
a hilly but short (just over a mile) loop of a very pleasant park,
passing a
lake, grassy spaces, crossing canals and passing bandstands and
flowerbeds, and
while it was ‘undulating’ after the ups came the downs and a chance to
speed up
while also catching my breath.
The cool but dry and slightly breezy morning made
ideal running conditions, and I followed a runner from Newcastle AC for
most of
the race as a pacemaker due to not really having a feel for the pace of a
5K
myself. Passing her with about 500m to go on the last uphill section I
realised
the pace was challenging and hung un for the last run in, to sprint to
the
finish holding her off (just) to finish 9th in 23:30. A PB!
But as
it was my first outing at 5K it was always
going to be a PB to be fair. What blew me away afterwards when I got
the
e-mail with the results at just before 3pm was that I was first in my
age category!
I’ve never got a first place in any race I’ve run as an adult so I’m
well
pleased.
Almost everyone remained at the finish to cheer
home the other runners and everyone seemed to really enjoy the event and
its
casual, laid-back atmosphere. I really enjoyed it. A gentle jog back to the car to put some warm
layers on over the running kit and a wander down to the local café for
tea and
an excellent oatcake breakfast made the morning complete. So in summary - an excellent, friendly and small
event that is local, and easy to access. And it’s free!!!
Well done Parkrun, you’re a winner from my point of
view – so give it a go, I’m sure you’ll
find, like me, that it‘s an Ace Race.
4 Chris COPPENHALL 00:19:41
9 Steve TREWEEKS 00:23:30
15 Christiane BUNTE 00:25:42
21 Elizabeth O'KEEFFE 00:27:54
For more information, click here.
Steve Treweeks
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