adidas Women’s 5K Challenge 2010

In its 13th consecutive year, the annual adidas women’s 5K challenge in Hyde Park went off with a bang last Sunday. Or to be more precise, several bangs, as the start line was staggered to accommodate the 15,000 strong crowd. This made sense, as otherwise it would have been quite a stampede, but it was a little disconcerting to hear over the speakers that Kenya's Linet Masai won the race (in an impressive 15 minutes and six seconds!) long before I even crossed the start line.Aside from the professional athletes, I think I was the only woman in attendance running solo, having dragged myself out of bed early on Sunday morning when most of my friends and potential race partners were still tucked up in bed. I confess I had a slightly sore head from accidentally drinking too much wine the previous night, and wasn’t sure if I’d get through the race alive.

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Girl power

Fortunately I didn’t get the opportunity to dwell on my hangover. From the moment I set foot in the park, I was surrounded by literally thousands of groups of excited women, ranging from keen kids to smiling grannies. A sea of ladies sporting deely boppers, angel wings and a rainbow of charity teeshirts, ran, walked, hopped and hobbled in great swathes around me, making me feel like an integral part of the sisterhood.Sensing my pain, at the start line a kind PR girl politely placed me at the back with the slower ladies, but I soon discovered that running with a hangover can actually be more of a help than a hindrance (although I wouldn’t advise it). Once the start gun finally went off, I quickly abandoned all sisterly affection and dodged and wove my way through the crowds, coming in at a not too shabby 30.30. Although not my PB, this is not to be sniffed at when you consider how much wine I’d consumed the previous evening!

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Fun run

The race was jam-packed with excited women of all ages and fitness levels with one aim in common, to have a great time. The race facilities were excellent, the buoyant atmosphere and steel drums playing at intervals along the course made up for the slow start, and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. So much so that I decided to run home afterwards, and managed my longest run ever, clocking up ten whole miles! I wouldn’t recommend running that far the morning after a heavy night, as my knees still haven’t forgiven me, but if you’re new to running or you’re keen to try out a fun run, the adidas Women’s 5K Challenge is the perfect place to start.