Until this year, I had never registered for an organized running race. They had seemed intimidating. But my partner signed up for an early fall 10K, so spontaneously I joined for the 5K as well.
My training schedule was inconsistent: I only made it out to the track a few weekends. But my plan, as a friend had described to me, was to complete, not compete. I focused on my playlist and my breathing and the sunshine.
On race day, everything was ready to go when we got there. There was water, snacks, and later fresh fruit and pizza. There was music, announcements, warm up stretches, a land acknowledgement, and the National Anthem performed by a live choir. The running path was clearly marked, with signs that read things like, Runners are sexy – Meet you at my pace, and a big inflatable start and finish line. There was a photography station and water stations and cheering sections, teenagers in orange shirts who clapped along the way.
It was corporate. Sponsors were thanked before each group left. Dominoes pizza flags flew. Someone was walking around in the Wendy’s girl costume. There were brand shoes and shirts and socks for sale. I got some free promotional lip balm, but I passed on a free promotional plastic thing that takes hair out of your drain.
It was also community. I saw families and prams on the route. I saw high school track teams lacing up together. I saw a group of laughing women wearing the same blue shirt that read Kinda Fit and Kinda Fat. I saw one athlete with running blades surrounded by her people. And I saw supporters with coffees and dogs and cardboard signs at the finish. At about 1000 people in attendance, it was big enough to feel like an event but not so big to feel crushed by a crowd.
Afterwards, the standings were easy to find at an online website: at just under 36 minutes I placed about in the middle of the 5K group (and my age group). I ran the whole way and didn’t fall, so that was a win for me.
My impressions
Acknowledging the race was also as a fundraiser, as a regular hobby registration fees would likely be a financial barrier for some. Although it seemed an easy day, I have no comparative experience: the route may have had less grade, the weather nicer, and the crowd much smaller than at typical races. Also, I had novice-level goals: I am not sure how the race day was for those running the half marathon.
But after the race, with my gratis water bottle in one hand and a pre-chopped half banana in the other and a giant Also Participated medal around my neck, I thought about how much planned encouragement there was. How much positive support, and how little negative pressure, I felt as a result of it as a first-timer.
If you’ve hesitated to sign up for your first 5K race, it may be less intimidating and more approachable than you might think.
