I want to start by saying how much I loved this race. Not because everything went to plan, it didn’t, but inspite of the things that went wrong I’m already planning on signing up for 2018.
I was lucky to be given a place by the race organisers, this was only a matter of weeks beforehand but my personalised race number arrived swiftly. You could have anything you wanted on your bib which was a nice touch, it also provided me with a laugh during the race.
On the morning of the race, my alarm went off late, we got stuck in traffic and I turned up with 6 minutes until the very respectable start time of 10:30am. Not only was I desperate for the toilet, I’d forgotten my pre-race lucozade and more importantly my race number. The race was held in one of my favourite green spaces in London, Richmond Park.
Dashing to locate the help desk a nice lady sorted me out with a new number and immediately after the race I was very impressed with the efficiency of the operation because I received a text corresponding to the chip time of my new race number. This level of efficiency is an absolute rarity in my experience! The whole race felt very well organised.
Toilets were ample and after a quick change from shorts, which had started irritating me in the walk from the car alone, to a Sapir pair of leggings, I located my pen. Luckily for me the race didn’t start on time and I had the chance to chat with some familiar faces and do the awkward pre-start not enough room to really stretch, but I feel I ought to try, routine.
I was in the green starting pen amongst the speedsters, I think I must have put down my estimated 10km not 10 mile finish time, but it meant I was over the line within a minute of the gun.
The theme of the race was one recurring thought on loop: it’s so hot, I’m getting sunburnt, is this hill ever going to end, oh god another hill, ooo there’s a deer, what stunning road race scenery, I want a sub 2 time.
I’m not irresponsible, I had suncream on but I am stupidly sensitive to the sun. I didn’t however look closely enough at the course to appreciate the hills, maybe it’s better I didn’t know what was coming. Heat and hills are a killer combo. The mile marker signs kept me entertained and I was surprised at how many people recognised me from behind, as they over took and said hello, it must be the long ginger hair? It was lovely to see so many friendly faces.
I have to be honest I really wasn’t a massive fan of the water stations. I simply can’t run and drink out of a cup and there definitely wasn’t enough water to go around considering the heat. The course looped past the starting point at Mile 3 and if it’s the same layout next year I think if I had someone with me spectating I’d ask them to hold a bottle for me. I do however fully appreciate the environmental benefits of having paper cups over bottles.
In contrast I was delighted to have Cliff Shot Blocks avalaible at a fuel station, in three different flavours, just before the 5 mile mark. When I’m not scoffing fizzy sweets these are my number 1 choice of fuel.
So on to the inevitable timing blurb. Normally I have a rough idea of what time I’d like to achieve but I never concern myself too much by it. This was different, I wanted to run a sub 2hr and as the race went on I became increasingly fixated on timings. I felt like I had something to prove. I’m not sure what, who to or why, let’s just say it was the heat and that I’d dragged a hungover Alex out of bed across London on a Sunday morning.
I had to stop to drink water at two of the stations, having choaked and then soaked myself at the first one and there was a hill which I had to power walk up, it was probably faster than me trying to run, but otherwise I really did give it my all. My watch stats show that I ran at a faster pace than I usually do or that I’m comfortable at over any distance. It was the first race in a while that I really really pushed.
Coming down that final Hill the watch said 1:58, turning into the home stretch the finish line in sight 1:59, I felt all the lactic acid swirling around in my stomach, could barely breathe and my vision was going blurry, meters to go still 1:59. Crossed the line – 2:00:00, official time 2:00:21. Dissappointed yes, but I put up a damn good fight and managed a finishing smile! I know that those 22 seconds and dare I say a little more, can be knocked off next time. Maybe when I haven’t run a half marathon the week before.
I think I’ve found my favourite distance.
If you fancy signing up for next year, entries are now open on the London 10 Mile website – if you need any more convincing, there were free race photos, a chunky medal and a great post run picnic atmosphere.
Hackney holds a very fond place in my running journey. Back in 2015 it was my first half marathon. When I lined up absolutely clueless wearing totally inappropriate trainers, eaten a bacon sandwich for breakfast, having only been running for 2 months.
Fast forward two years and two full marathons later, I was feeling a little twitchy a week after London and wanted not only run but I was craving the buzz of race day. My legs weren’t up to 13.1 miles but the idea of a 5.5km in a race setting was rather appealing. I was also intrigued by Virgin Sport’s takeover of the event and the concept of turning the day into a festival.
I had every good intention to arrive around 10am to cheer on the half marathoners but a few too many glasses of prosecco the night before meant we arrived around 1pm. We had shopping and cinema plans later in the day so decided to drive and park in Westfields which is a pleasant 25 minute amble through The Olympic Park to the start line in Hackney Marshes.
The 5.5km was due to start at 1:45pm. I’m not an early bird but even for me this was a little late. Having started the half marathon at 9am it would have perhaps been better to start at 12:30/1pm so that more of the half runners might have stayed to add to the atmosphere. Unfortunately, this was coupled with the British weather letting us down. It was overcast and I suspect if it had been a sunny day the crowds would have stuck around for some gentle post race basking/ getting gently sozzled. It was however perfect running weather.
Following a group warm up, which I always feel very awkward taking part in but is great to learn new exercises, we made our way to the start line. If you wanted to race it required some elbowing to get to the start line but I was going no where fast.
Thanks for the delightful mid run goofy photo Charlie.
Unfortunately the course itself was a little uninspiring, with an unexpected hill thrown in. Given the green surroundings two double backs on a road seemed a wasted opportunity. However it did ensure that everything was kept compact and meant that there seemed like more spectators on route. It was a pleasant surprise that there was a water station around the 2km mark. I saw a 1km marker but other than that there didn’t seem to be any, so running without a watch, I had no sense of distance. I would have at least liked a half way marker but perhaps I just didn’t spot them.
Before I knew it we were heading back into the park and the race was over. It may have just been 5.5km but we were still treated to the full works – chip timing, medal, finishers t-shirt and an array of snacks and drinks.
I was lucky to have been given a race bib by Virgin Sport. The 5.5km was priced at £25, which initially I winced at, however the theme of race was “Chase your mate” and this also included a bib for your friend. So if you split it, at £12.50 I’d say it was well worth the pennies if you are looking for the race day experience; particularly if it’s your first and don’t want to tackle a 10km just yet. There were even race photos taken on the course, avaliable for free online afterwards.
For a 5.5km race I was pretty impressed. It also made me question my sanity of running full marathons when this distance got me the race experience and saw me back in just over half an hour for lunch.
Another thing which I was pleasant surprised about was Virgin Sport App which provided me with all the information I needed about the day, a festival village map and even for the 5.5km a breakdown of my 3 & 5km splits.
Post race, I headed over to the Fitness Stage for some yoga/stretching. Through out the day there had been a series of workouts led by the likes of Bradley Simmons, Shona Vertue and Faisal (Mr PMA). Should have thought about getting here earlier for this before the fifth glass of prosecco!
Had I of done the half marathon I would have been straight into the massage tent but food was calling and I have to say as a massive street food lover I was pretty delighted with the selection on offer. Chicken burger and fries were first up from Butchies. Followed by CrossTown Doughnuts who really ought to be at every race finish line. Alex even found decent coffee and beer to keep him entertained whilst I was running, which isn’t always easy at races. Big thumbs up on the catering front!
The race was perfect for my post marathon legs. With a little tweaking to timings and the course for the 5.5km, I think Virgin Sport are on to a winning concept of a festival here and everything felt very professionally organised. I’m certainly planning on coming back next year to run the Half Marathon.
In the mean time I’ve been having a peak at the other festivals Virgin Sport have planned. There’s one centering round a 10km in Westminster in July, they are coming to Oxford in October for a half marathon and perhaps most tempting is San Francisco; I will make it to America one day soon!