Looking for your first 10k? Head over to the Women’s Running 10k Race Series

August 10, 2015

Running

Looking for your first 10k? Head over to the Women’s Running 10k Race Series.

Here at The Fix Events we’re partnering with the Women’s Running Race Series to welcome more women into the incredible running community. This week we’ve been chatting to blogger, LittleRunnerGal about her experience as a race pacer during this year’s Series. Sarah’s got some great tips for you, so read on to find out what to expect from your first mass participation running event:

“Last month I had the immense pleasure of pacing one of the Women’s Running 10k events. A series of 10km races (also a 5km option) for women of all levels of running experience, up and down the country.

As part of a fab race package, including technical t-shirt, medal, and packed goodie bag, the event offers 10k race pacers pacing 50, 55, 60 and 70 minute finishes.

I paced a 55 minute finish at the Nottingham event.

Despite a rainy start, the eager runners and families arrived in huge numbers with smiles and waterproofs! The race village was buzzing, and the warm up, led by 53 Marathons:53 Days legend Amy, had nearly everyone involved and the sun emerged to start the race. I was interviewed on stage to explain the role of the pacers, then we walked around the friendly crowd, displaying our huge time flags, so that people could come and ask us questions.

Womens Running

The other pacers, Nicki, Annette, AJ, and I got positioned in the start area and the race got going. I saw Nicki’s flag disappear off into the distance and settled into a comfortable pace with my 55 minute group. We took a lovely route back and forth along the scenic Victoria Embankment, which made it not only a beautiful course, but a great atmosphere as we all kept passing each other so everyone could cheer each other on, and the pacers and groups around us got very vocal!

Some of the ladies around me wanted to talk more, others were happy just keeping up. I made it a point to cheer at every kilometre marker and let them know how well they were all doing.

As the race went on it became a bit quieter around us, but a core group of ladies stuck with me. Every time I congratulated them one lovely lady congratulated me back for the good pacing while being cheery and with a flag strapped to me!

As we came up to the final 200m I turned round and explained I was expecting sprint finishes from everyone. As we approached 50m I told them I’d be moving to the left and they were all to fly past me on the right, and sure enough they did!

I came in at 54:31, so a bit under 55 mins but pretty darn ideal.

Runners came to find me after to say thanks, which was lovely. To be part of so many people’s journey was amazing.

The event and the team behind it was fantastic. There were a lot of people running their first race and it was well organised to make it comfortable for them. The Women’s Running team and the volunteers made it a great day.

Loads of people have asked me since how you get in to pacing. These events, and the organisations that run them, are often looking for pacers. Just contact them and ask. Settle on a pace that will be VERY comfortable for you (not too close to your PB or anything daft!) and make sure you get some practice runs in at that distance and pace. You’ll likely be carrying a flag. The ones I’ve used aren’t heavy but they can be a bit unwieldy, so take that in to account.

Well done to everyone involved in the event. Runners, organisers, volunteers, pacers and supporters.

And if you fancy it, there’s a few events left in the Series, in particular Brockwell Park and Finsbury Park in September – hopefully see you at the start line! You’re in for a treat.”

LRG x

Find out more http://womensrunninguk.co.uk/wr10k-2015/ and follow the team on Twitter @womensrunninguk #wr10k @littlerunnergal

 

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