GREENWICH MERIDIAN 10K RACE – SUNDAY 2^ND MARCH 2008

Well, what can I say, except that it was certainly a very different way for me to celebrate Mother’s Day.  There I am usually being brought breakfast in bed and everyone making a real fuss of me (Oh sorry, I was just dreaming) but this year, it was up at 7am in preparation for my second ever race.   

Having completed the Pettswood 10K race back in October, I was keen to see if I had improved having now been at the club for almost a year, so the Greenwich 10k sounded ideal. 

Organised by the Cambridge Harriers, the race was first introduced in 2000 as the Millennium 10K.   The run itself is a road run held entirely within Greenwich Park, London’s oldest Royal Park, situated on a hilltop with impressive views across the River Thames stretching from the Docklands to the City of London.  From the hilltop you can see the National Maritime Museum and the Queens House and within the park grounds sits the Old Royal Observatory.  The park’s many trees, flowers and wildlife make it a truly beautiful place, and what’s more, the sun was shining for us, albeit a little chilly. 

Sylvia and I arrived in good time so decided to warm ourselves up a bit and take a look at the hill we’d be running up later (or not!).    It was at this point, Sylvia kindly made me aware that we wouldn’t simply be running up it just the once, but twice in fact!!  Oh deep joy!  Loving hills as I do, I couldn’t wait!  However, everything appeared to be well organised and they’d even designated a place for your luggage – The Bandstand of all places!   Previously, I’d been told that luggage was stored in a van, which was not terribly successful I understand.   

We soon met up with some of the others from the club, Frank, Joe, Janet, Sue, Pete, Marie to name a few and all were raring to go.  9.30 am was soon upon us and we were off.  I’d certainly say that if you’re looking for something challenging, the Greenwich 10K certainly fits the bill.  I suppose officially it would be described as an undulating course, but as Dave once said to me, that’s just another way of saying “Bloody Hilly!”    It started off OK, nice and flat for a while but the hills were soon upon us and the downhills were pretty sharp too.   But the killer part had to be that very, very long hill, stretching from the bottom of the park right up to the Royal Observatory and as you huff and puff your way up it (or was that just me?) thoughts keep running through your head that you’ve got to do it all over again and right at the end of the race!   It’s a cruel trick to put such a long, long hill so close to the finish line, but I have to say, both the Marshals and the spectators were very encouraging and helped enormously to spur you on at those flagging moments.

However, I’m glad to say we all made it with Peter being the first New Eltham Jogger to reach the finishing post.  Personally, I’ve never been so glad to have a bottle of water thrust into my hand, oh, and of course the medal for finishing!  But I also know everyone appreciated Keith’s much needed jelly babies!