How late to leave it before booking a race?

[Ian5K]

I discovered this morning that two of our villagers had run the Stratford 10k. This got me interested in races - but I’m not yet committed!

There’s an annual 10k event very near me which happens at the start of June. It’s limited to 500 competitors but I’m surprised right at this moment to see there are but 124 spare places available. I’m guessing that come June 2022, there’ll still be a handful of places available…

But will there?!

How close do people leave it before booking and any experiences of being too late to get in?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

I would book for that race of June next year ASAP, now, event runs/races are very popular just now after the gap of no runs last year, so try get your run booked today before it's too late.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

That’s what I feared, Al.

Oh well, I’m happy to run against myself - and there’s always parkrun.

(I’m going to ask Santa this year for a 10k parkrun - just once or twice a year) 🙂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

Perhaps soon there will be 10K parkruns, but for now you will have to stick with the 5K distance of parkruns, good luck for your 10K runs.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

If I’m interested in running a race, no matter how far from or close to the date it is, I enter! 124 places left doesn’t sound that many to me, especially as there are still 9 months until June 2022. If you’re keen, I’d just enter now or risk being disappointed nearer the time! 😀

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks, cheekychipmunks.

I’d like to leave it a lot closer to the date. I’m feeling more curious than keen tbh. 🙂

[Cmoi Graduate10]

I think it depends on how much you care about taking part in, or missing out on, a specific event. If being there matters to you, then sign up.

I'm absolutely not a fan of events, though I'm in a small minority, as far as I can tell. I've done precisely one, decided the day before, and signed up on the day.

I registered for my forthcoming trail event several months in advance, but only to force myself to train, and to get a cheaper rate!

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

So there’s an outside chance of squeezing in at short notice? You know, you’ve helped me decide, Cmoi. I’ll wait and if I don’t get in, I don’t get in. Simple.

[nowster Graduate10]

It's your choice. I'd be surprised if there were any places left in March next year, never mind June.

Apart from parkrun, I've only entered one race. That was going to be on July 4th (which was in the event a wash-out, weatherwise), but it's now happening on October 31st (assuming no changes in government policy in the meantime).

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks, nowster. I’m going to take my chances around next March. 🙂

Good fortune on 31st October! Are you dressing up as a ghoul?

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

No, but that might be how I feel at the end of it. It's a team of colleagues from work. Some have already dropped out!

My preparation for it is to include at least one 10km run each week, but that's no longer my "long run" of the week.

My plan is not to set a PB during the race but merely to finish it and not be the last in our group.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Some races sell out, others you can book the day before… at 5k and 10k there is lots of choice out there if you can travel a little.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks.

I was just surprised to see the one I had in mind was three quarters booked up 9 months in advance. I don’t think it’s a big event on the calendar of races, but it is the most local (travelling is less appealing for me).

It does say on the website places can be booked on the day of the race, so my plan will be to check it a month or two beforehand, if I feel I want to run it.

[Cowladyrunning Graduate10]

There have been last minute spaces on events round here. I am doing my first event on Sunday and I booked it a while ago to keep me training!

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Yes, I can see it could be motivational.

I’m really in two minds, just a bit curious. 🙂