LLANELLI 5k RACE FOR LIFE

18th June 2006

Report by Val Brown

The Race for Life is part of a series of national 5k events for women to raise money for cancer research. I had never really given any thought into entering one of the events before, but some of my workmates were entering so I thought that I would give it a go with them.

We met up about an hour or so before the race was due to start, wearing our brightly coloured Carmarthenshire County Council T-Shirts bearing slogans which I understand we can thank Dave Astins for. Our office race organiser had also arranged balloons for us to help find each other in the crowd!

The weather was perfect for racing – quite cool and cloudy – a bit different from yesterday at the Pembrokeshire Triathlon.

Due to the large number of entrants, and associated difficulties parking, the start was delayed by about half an hour or so. This made warming up and staying warm quite difficult – I was conscious not to warm up too many times on tired legs from yesterday. It was made a bit easier with the warm up aerobics arranged before the start – don’t normally get that at Poppit!

The organisers had banners for “runners” and “walkers” which made it easier not to get held up at the start. However, due to the sheer number of people who take part (about 4000 I understand did this one), who are of all ages, shapes and sizes, it was quite difficult to decide where in the “runners” group I should go – I put my hat in the ring and decided to start near the front of the pack. I was glad that I made this choice since I did not get held up at all.

The front-runners spread out quite quickly, and the route is a pleasant jaunt around the Millennium Coastal Park and Sandy Water Park. At times you double back on yourself and the vast number of fellow entrants becomes apparent.  

I held my own at the front of the pack, and think I finished about 8th in a time of around 22.30. I think I heard the PA in the distance announce that the winner finished in around 19 minutes.

After finishing, I joined the crowd offering support and encouragement to competitors still taking part. It was very good to see a wide spectrum of people there – some running, some walking and others out for a laugh in fancy dress. It made it clear to me that these events really are for any women – perhaps the girls from the Club will support one of the local races next year? Another moving element was the dedications on the signs pinned to people’s backs – some showing that they had very recently lost loved ones.

As some of you know – Dave Howells in particular (by the frequency I declined to do so) – I do not normally take part in sponsored events because I do not like asking people for sponsorship money. However, I feel very guilty that I have not actually made much of an effort to raise money for the charity. So here goes – if anyone would like to retrospectively sponsor me for this event – donations would be gratefully received.  Many thanks.