The London Marathon 2024 Medal, and other race medals.
Have you signed up for a race or running event yet? Here, we'll tell you about some of the races we've entered this year and into 2025. And, if you’re not sure if entering a race is for you, here are six reasons to sign up today:
1. You Get a Prize
Who doesn’t love a prize? At the end of a race, you usually get a selection of goodies, including a medal or a t-shirt. If it’s a medal, you’re going to love taking and posting that post-run medal photo. And if it’s a t-shirt, you’re going to feel so proud wearing it for your next run. You might also get some tasty treats in your finishing line goodie bag.
2. It Gives You A Focus
Mark your race up on your calendar and it will help you to feel motivated when you’re flagging a bit with your training. And, it’s fun to plan how you’ll get there on race-day, where you’ll meet, what you’ll wear and carry, and so on. A race day target can really help you to focus and encourage you to commit to your runs.
3. It's All Organised For You
One of the best things about entering a race is that all of the organisation is taken care of for you. Particularly when it comes to long distance running like marathons and ultra marathons, there is a lot of admin to take care of. For a race to be safe and successful, organisers need to deal with road closures, allocating race numbers and bibs, chip timing systems, hydration and nutrition on the course, emergency on-site responders, car parking, course marshals, finish-line medals, marketing and provision of results, and so on.
When you can just pay your entry fee and turn up, all of the hassle is taken out of organising long runs.
4. You Perform at Your Best
When you enter a race, you’re more likely to give it your best effort. In the build-up to the event, you’ll be more mindful of the need to hydrate, and the night before you’ll get an early night and eat the right foods. You’ll probably give some thought as to what energy gels or drinks you’ll want to take and carry, and at what point you’ll want to consume them. Then, on race day, when you’re surrounded by like-minded individuals and race-day supporters, you’ll push yourself harder than you thought you could. The result? Hopefully, a personal best.
5. Running a Race is An Achievement
Accomplishing something that tests or challenges you is so good for your confidence and self-esteem. Whatever distance you run, whether it's 1km, a 5km park-run, or a 100k ultra marathon, it’s an achievement. And it's further than the person who sits at home and never even tries. When you complete a race, you feel empowered. You get caught up in the atmosphere of race-day and share something in common with every other person who completes the race: a glow of personal pride.
6. Post Race-Smiles
After your race, you can enjoy your favourite treat to replenish your energy levels. You can look at your photos and any that were taken professionally, and wait for your email to say your results have come in. Then, you can tell everyone you meet what you’ve done…. and start looking for the next race to enter.
Running in a race is a great experience and it’s good for your body, heart and soul.
Here are some of the races Ashby’s Adventure Trails and Treks’ runners have entered.
Upcoming Races
We have AAT&T runners taking part in the following races:
29 September 2024 - The Loch Ness Marathon, a stunning race in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
29 September 2024 - Stratford's Big 10k and Half Marathon, a popular road race with a finish coming past the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
19 October 2024 - Glow for Myton - Back to the 80s - This event is a 5km walk, jog, dance or run around Coventry city centre. Afterwards, there will be a party at HMV Empire Coventry with a fancy dress competition and a DJ.
5/6 April 2025 - The Ultra Tour of Arran, a two-day off-road running adventure covering 60 miles on the Isle of Arran, Scotland.
27 April 2025 - The London marathon.
A couple of us are planning on going down to London on the day to support the runners and have a drink. Save the date if you want to join us.
27 April 2025 - Coventry Half Marathon, a scenic route through our wonderfully gothic city centre and out into the picturesque countryside.
3/4 May 2025 - The Isle of Wight Ultra Challenge, an event where participants can walk, hike or trek 106km in 24 bours, or choose a distance of 82km, 52km, 54km, 30km, 25km or 16km.
8 June 2025 - Swansea Half Marathon, a scenic and flat coastal half marathon suitable for all.
If you’re not signed up to a race and you fancy a challenge, please do join us. Click on the links in this post and you'll be directed to the sign-up pages. Or, we can tell you more when you come and run with us, or you can send us an email or text.
And if you want to share your race plans with us, we’d love to hear from you.
Interested in training for a race? Sign up for a 5 to 10km run from the War Memorial Park in Coventry here.
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