Register for competitive run or fun run (same race)?

cakeums
cakeums Posts: 228 Member
I am planning on running in a 4mi run on Saturday, it benefits the memorial fund of a good friend of my brother's who was killed by a sniper in Iraq, while serving in the Marine Corps. (I did not know him personally, though the cause is close enough to my heart, as my husband is a USMC vet.) The race is through a "grid" neighborhood (streets and avenues), and there are two options: 8AM competitive run (sub 12:00 miles) or 9:30AM fun run/walk (no time limit). I average a 10:45 pace or so at home, and ran my first 5K on the 12th with an average pace of 10:26. It was on a hilly course and I did stop to walk for about a minute, twice. This one will be totally flat, but it has 31 turns throughout.

I haven't run 4 miles yet, but I don't see any reason why my pace would slow considerably with another 0.9mi. I'm just not too sure about how competitive the run itself is. Would there be any reason NOT to register for the 8AM race?

Replies

  • nwhitley
    nwhitley Posts: 619
    No, go for the competitive race at 8. You can do it!!
  • montana_girl
    montana_girl Posts: 1,403 Member
    I bet you will do well! Go for the competive race. :flowerforyou:
  • cakeums
    cakeums Posts: 228 Member
    I ran a warm, muggy 3.5mi today in 39:30, so I think I should go for it. I will probably be faster on race day anyway, I would think.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Early in the morning with cooler temps and race day motivation you'll do it with no problem.
  • kelseyhere
    kelseyhere Posts: 1,123 Member
    Yeah I agree, go for the competitive race because it will be cooler. The fun runs are typically more geared towards people who want to walk casually in a group or run with their kids. Because you sound like you plan on running most of it, you should definitely do the competitive. You'll just be annoyed if you do the fun run because you'll get stuck behind people.
  • cakeums
    cakeums Posts: 228 Member
    Thanks everyone!
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    Early in the morning with cooler temps and race day motivation you'll do it with no problem.

    THIS! My first 5K was yesterday - a Girls on the Run untimed 5K that started at 10 am. Even though it was Michigan in MAY....it was 85 degrees and blazing sun when I finished. It was NOT a good time because of the heat. So, as I looked for a race in June to do, start time was THE deciding factor LOL. Instead of the 9 AM run, I found a different one that starts at 7:30. Yes please LOL.

    I really have no idea how I'll survive the Color Run that starts at 9 am in JULY. Ugh. Hopefully I'll have more heat tolerance by then.