RfL 10k - or was it?

[wilmacgh]

Just back from doing the Race for Life 10k in Edinburgh. I'd done the 5k a few times but as I am now a runner signed up for the 10k. Headed off nice and steady as the first km includes a climb of 100m up to Dunsappie Loch. Actually managed to run the whole way up the hill for the first time ever. It's more or less flat for the next bit then a quite steep downhill run towards Pollock Halls. Have been practising running downhill too and was pleased to have the confidence to take it fairly fast.

At that point they split the field with the 5k runners going straight on and the 10k diverting to the left. I'd done a recce a few weeks ago based on one of the other 10k runs which used Holyrood Park but this wasn't how they were taking us. We had to do a loop round the grassy bank back up to the top of the rise I'd just cantered down so happily, then another loop on the road before heading towards Duddingston Loch. We turned in the carpark by the loch where there was a very welcome water station before heading back to where we had split from the 5k runners. I knew a direct run to the finish that wasn't going to be far enough so wasn't surprised when we diverted off again towards the Scottish Parliament building to make up the extra distance. Was feeling pretty good and managed a sprint to the finish to go under the clock in approx 57minutes 40 sec.

However checking this against the Endomondo track suggests that at most this was 9.3k which makes my time more believable! I was getting voice messages from Endomondo every km which in the early stages were coming up maybe 20m before I got to the marker flags but in the latter stages they didn't seem to match at all. I don't think I missed out part of the route as it was well marshalled.

I know RfL isn't really a race but having thought of this as my first proper 10k I was a bit disappointed to realise it probably wasn't. Never mind I've made my other target of rasing £300 foir Cancer Research.

[DeliaItaly Graduate]

Brilliant! You must be very proud! Weel done, Delia xox

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well done Wilma, I would think their distance would have been measured and checked at least once so take it that you did 10K in a very good time, smashing. Good fund raising too congratulations.

[Slowworm Graduate]

Well done whatever, youve made a difference, thousands of other people were sat on their behinds today!

[Saruma Graduate]

Well done! My 10K RfL is on Saturday. Sadly, I can only dream of finishing it in a time of 57/58 mins.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Great run, Wilma - especially that hill!

[dottiemay Graduate]

Could it be to do with the way they measure the route? If they take the widest line as being the distance and you took the shortest route round bends and such like, perhaps that could account for it?

I really don't know - I've not entered a race yet - but I know that when I'm out, I try to not cut corners and mostly take the widest line - I'm sure it can add several meters of distance which makes it a little easier to run further without really noticing it!

Anyway, if the organisers say it was 10K, then I'd happily take it as 10K! Well done, a brilliant time - and congrats on beating the hill!