Great Manchester Run - 10K

[Ssasqueen]

I’m thinking of signing up to the Great Manchester Run. I’ve worked in Manchester most of my career and really like the idea of running in my city on roads that have been closed.

Is anyone else planning on doing it?

Has anyone done it before and got any comments? It looks really busy from the photos - I’m not sure how you run in that many people.

ALSO - the application form asks for your expected time - given the race isn’t until May I don’t really know what my time would be. Should I put my expected time down based on my current fitness? What happens if it improves? OR should I defer applying til nearer the time so I have a better idea? OR does it not really matter?

Thanks in anticipation

Steph

[Coddfish Graduate10]

I haven’t done this event but have done other large scale events such as the London Vitality 10k and the Great South Run.

Large events have staggered starts letting elite athletes and fast club runners out first, then the masses in various waves according to their ability. The reason the application asks for your expected time is to allocate you to a start group.

I’d put a time that’s realistic with training. There are various formulae you can use to extrapolate your 5k pace. It doesn’t really matter if you get it a bit wrong other than you don’t want to be in a group that is very different from you. If it’s much faster than you, you will be at risk of being jostled in a large crowd, potentially hurting yourself and impeding others. If it’s much slower than you, you will find it hard work making progress.

I am not sure who the organisers of the Manchester event are (big events are usually either run by Vitality or Simply Health). In my experience Vitality events go with lots of waves whereas Simply Health ones have fewer, much bigger waves. In the case of the latter, you also need to judge where in the mass to stand, for the same reasons as above. On the day you are always allowed to start in a slower wave than the one you have been allocated, but you are not allowed to start in a faster wave. Timings are chip timed so don’t worry if it’s a while before you cross the line.

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thank you so much - that makes a lot of sense. Really helpful. Thanks for taking the time to respond

[Coddfish Graduate10 in reply to Ssasqueen]

Actually thinking about it, the clue is in ‘Great’, it will be the same organisers as Great South Run. That’s a 25,000 runner entry and operates with elites plus 3 waves, the final wave encompasses a large range of ability from people who will do 10 miles in 1 hour 50 or so all the way through to those who are just ahead of the sweep vehicles.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

It’s a big event... and that means a big encouraging crowd too! If you’re looking for a 10k event at all, go for one that appeals to you like this one does.

Register based on your current paces... they won’t disqualify you if you smash your PB!

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Fab - thanks

[Kevtrev Graduate10]

Yes it’s a run I want to do also so I’m going to do it next may it looks a fantastic event I’ve never done it but look forward to it but I’m going to enter into it the beginning of next year 😉👍

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to Kevtrev]

Cool - maybe see you there! I’m booked on now. I didn’t want to risk getting lazy while it’s cold and then not being fit enough to run it

[Kevtrev Graduate10 in reply to Ssasqueen]

Yes maybe see you at the race you will definitely be fit enough. At the moment I do 2 10K a week and a 5K and thinking of joining a running club soon 😉👍

[Ssasqueen Graduate10 in reply to Kevtrev]

Yeah a running club is tempting as it’s hard to get motivated to run in the dark. I’m loving Park Run on Saturdays and am park way through a running plan on here to try to get me to 10k - my second 8k is due this week. I will be beyond proud of myself if/when I get to run 10k

[Kevtrev Graduate10 in reply to Ssasqueen]

Yes definitely motivating running clubs are I don’t mind running in the dark.

I’m glad you are enjoying park run and well done on doing juju plan you have got this 😉👍