10k Freak Out!

Not sure why they are starting the walkers first, unless they are on a different course. Or it may be that they will have them all stay to one side and out of the way of the runners.

Either way, don't stress about it or your time. I can't imagine they would do the rewards before everyone has finished - maybe the schedule is wrong? Does seem odd to have the awards 45 minutes after the start. I'd contact the race director or someone associated with it and ask them these questions.

But no matter what, I'd still go - you'll have a great time no matter what!

Don't freak out!! I ran my first 10Ks this year. I have my first 1/2 on Saturday. I only compete with me. Usually awards don't start until everyone is finished. The organizers may be thinking that everyone who would get some sort of award will be finished in 45 min. They may not think that others may want to attend the awards anyway.

Do the race. Compete with you. You've got this.

I have been training since July to run this 10k this weekend. I didn't see the race day schedule because they hadn't posted it until last week. I ran my first 5k yesterday and did really good for myself. In fact I totally met and surpassed my goal! So I was pumped. It taught me a lot about running a race. So I started working on a plan for my 10k. Stay in the way back and go at my own pace and enjoy the ride. I looked at the schedule for the 10k this morning and this is what it says:

8:00 a.m. Registration & Packet Pickup open
8:45 a.m. Opening ceremonies and Warm up

9:30 a.m. Walk Start

9:45 a.m. 10K Run Start

9:50 a.m. 5K Run Start

10:30 a.m. Runner awards from stage

10:40 a.m. CeCe Peniston performs

So now....I'm freaking out! First of all why are the walkers going before the runners? Maybe the walkers are on a different 5k course? I hope so. Am I right by saying they must be assuming that the all the 10k runners will be able to finish in under 45 minutes? I'm no where near a 45 minute 10k pace. Should I even bother? I'm not even at an hour pace. Far from it! At yesterday's race when they gave aways the awards it was at the very end of the day and after that they were packing up stuff. I mean obviously if they are going to have a concert at 10:40 they won't be packing up after the awards but still I'm feeling a lot of pressure. Should I even bother showing up? Someone please calm me down!!!

First - calm down!

Second - I've run a ton of races (91 to be exact) and the start times are based on the course and availability. If the race is taking place at a preserve or public streets where they were able to shut down the entire course and limit it strictly to the event, they have a limited time to do so. So they may start the runners first to give them enough time to complete the course. The runners will obviously finish before them. Also, if the entire street is shut down you can have walkers on one side and runners on the other side without any conflict so long as they walkers are the stupid kind that can't stay out of the way. Based on the schedule, it sounds like they have shut down an entire area and banned the public and that's why all the times seem so close together. Secondly, Don't worry about when they're announcing the rewards. Most likely if you haven't finished under 40 minutes, you're probably not getting an award anyways and who cares whoever else got the award. The only competitor you have in races is yourself. Unless you are an elite runner, you are only competing for your best time possible. So focus on celebrating your time whatever it is. You won't be the last to finish as long as you keep running. Also the runners are obviously not going to make it to rewards ceremony either. So get out there and do your best. Its as simple as one foot in front of the other and we here on MFP will be cheering you along the entire way! Feel free to add me if you like

45 minutes from 10K start to the awards doesn't sound right unless they are only placing top 3 overall and no age groups. Last 10K I was at there were only a handful of people finishing under 50 min.

Don't freak out!

It is odd that they are releasing the 5k before the 10k and I am sure they don't expect a 10k finish in 40 minutes. The walkers went first at the local marathon to give them enough time, so that's probably why they're doing this (although I haven't seen it done at the 5k level).

As for the time limits, you can ask them if you are worried, but likely the worst thing that will happen when they 'close the course' is that you will have to run on the sidewalk the last bit. I don't see that as being an issue, but that's probably the only possible problem. They wont' kick you off or anything. So have fun and don't worry!

I wouldn't worry about any of it. I have never ever been done by an awards ceremony and have never missed it. If it is a larger event, they are giving out money to elite runners. The awards ceremony should in no way make it seem like they want you to finish by then.

I run in a large 10K every year - The Beach to Beacon and the field is over 6,000 people. The winning time was just over 28 minutes. I finished about 35 minutes later.

Just forget there is an awards ceremony. You will do great, run your own speed, and don't worry about anything else.

10:40 a.m. CeCe Peniston performs

:huh: What kind of performance is this? lol

And good luck of course!!