QEOP 10k Series, Race 1

[Rob_and_his_westie]

This morning saw me "compete" in the first of race of a series of six 10ks at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, East London. if you only ever visited the place during the 2012 Olympics, then it has gone through and is still going through a series of changes and it is now a very tranquil place to be. The paths that wind around the park have a super grippy surface and seem to have been set up for running.

Although the event capacity was set at 700, no more than 120 turned up today. Billed as suitable for all abilities, I stood there before the start with another chap, shall we say of similar age and build, looking at the opposition, which included many young things in club vests, realising that we were going to be the back markers. Three laps of an undulating course were required. It seemed to be a question of how many times we would be lapped....

The organisation was excellent. The start point was outside the Timber Lodge cafe in the west of the park. The cafe has a purpose built event room which was used as a bag drop and was permanently manned throughout the event. Numbers were issued and marshals in hi-viz clothing were stationed at regular intervals along the way. I made sure I thanked every one of them on my last lap as I went past.

Deliberately starting at the back, over the course of the race I managed to pass four or five people, although one of them came back and actually 'dipped' me at the line! Aiming for 1hour and 6minutes, I finished in 1hour 4minutes and 47seconds. Not a PB, but objective more than achieved.

I find 10ks to be the perfect combination of real, hard work and enormous satisfaction. I had a great time today and I can't wait for the next one. Five more to go with the next one on the first Saturday in November. I chowed down on the contents of my goody bag - banana, cereal bar, gummy Bears and a chocolate frog (health food!) - as I sat on the homeward bound train with huge smile on my face.

I love this running business!

[Vixchile Graduate]

That sounds fab, I agree I like the 10km distance too, like you say it's enough of a challenge without being too daunting. Great time too. Just can't wait until my next 10km race reading your post.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

What a great venue Rob! Lucky you and really fab time too. Do you get a special medal after the last run?

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Hi. Yes there's a medal for each race. To be sent out by post this time.

[runningknitter Graduate]

That sounds really great, what a fantastic place to be able to run around. Almost wished I still lived in Essex so I could pop down there. That seems like a pretty good time to finish in to me - well done :0)

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I was looking at these this morning. But I was looking at the Feb one. Were there many slower than you because if I build up my time will be an awful lot slower than you. Sounds like a good run out and your time was very good. well done.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Many slower than me? Errr...no. I think only about four or five finished after me, but then again it was a small field. The race director said he has many more signed up for the next one. I wouldn't worry too much, everyone was really quite friendly. I'll be trying to improve my time little by little each month.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Rob_and_his_westie]

I don't think that came across the way I meant it to sorry. I was more worried that at my current pace I would have a finish time of around 1 hour 30 after i have built up my distance and was wondering if anyone was running at that sort of pace or are they all as fast as you. sorry again for it coming across wrong.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

No offence taken at all! In fact I was genuinely flattered to think that you think of me as fast.... Like everyone else, I only go as fast as I can.

I think the winner crossed the line in under 37 minutes.... some of them were really that good! I finished towards the back - but it didn't matter. It was billed as a mixed ability event.

[poppypug Graduate]

Glad you had a good time Rob, sounds like its a very good well organised event , Good luck for the next one ! xxx

[AmyL Graduate]

Sounds great, I haven't heard of these races, QEOP is not all that far from me. I may look them up! I would be at the back too, we seem of similar pace! Well done on the first race ☺

[tanyag_163 Graduate]

Thank you for your post. I've signed up to the Regent's Park 10k series and it's great to read your review of such wonderful runs

[Tubestick]

Hi there Rob, just wondered if I was the guy who pipped you at the post. My time was 63mins 57secs.

[Rob_and_his_westie Graduate]

Yes that was me.... 63.58 according to official results! A great little event I thought.

[Tubestick]

Enjoyed the run looking forward to the next one in Nov. Hopefully see you there.