Norwich is fast becoming a haven for runners of all standards to satiate their running ambitions. With three major events already confirmed in the city centre and surrounding area this summer, visitors and locals alike are encouraged to don their training shoes and put their best foot forward.
What is there to look forward to?
Besides a busy calendar of track and field for the local Athletics clubs, the city is keen to encourage participation in the three summer distance events it has lined up.
Kicking off the frenzy of sporting activity is the ever-popular Lord Mayor’s 5k City Centre Classic – kindly sponsored by local sports industry specialists ‘Sportlink’ - on July 2nd.
The 21st edition of the race offers a tea-time start for the two-lap traffic-free course and registration has already opened for entries.
With the annual Lord Mayor’s Street Procession following on immediately after the completion of the event, competitors can expect to be cheered on by as many as 50,000 people. For excitement and a pure adrenalin rush there can be few road races during the year to match its tremendous atmosphere.
No letting up in the pace
Just one week later on 9th July comes the slightly alternative attraction offered by the Colour 5K event at Hoveton Hall, Hoveton. With an intriguing if slightly daunting tagline of providing the opportunity for your friends, family and colleagues to be covered in paint, it promises to be a fun-filled celebration of life itself with a guaranteed party atmosphere.
With the apt backing of Skittles, the global ‘Color Run’ on which the Norfolk event is based is now into its fourth year as the “happiest and most colourful 5k fun run” going. The organisers seek to celebrate “healthiness, happiness, friendship and having the time of your life!”
Starting out with a white t-shirt, entrants will have to brace themselves as they are covered in a rainbow of colours at each kilometre on the course.
Each colour zone has ‘Colour Bandits’ in place who will shower the competitors with a specific coloured powder, building the different colours so that by the end each entrant looks like their own masterpiece.
With the emphasis on having fun, there is no requirement to run the whole distance, so walking, skipping or even dancing around the route is perfectly acceptable and encouraged.
At the finish the excitement heightens as the famous ‘Colour Extravaganza’ allows competitors to finally get their own back, as they throw colour at friends, family and anyone within throwing distance!
Last but by no means least
Completing the summer of running, the second edition of the Run Norwich 10k event is also now open for entry. Representing a sterner challenge at twice the distance of the other two summer events, organisers are hoping to build on the huge success of the inaugural competition.
The logistically-challenging race provides runners with an opportunity to pound the streets of Norwich, taking in many of the city’s notable landmarks en route on August 7th. Utilising feedback from last year, the organisers promise improvements to the route and have thanked the representatives from Norwich Cathedral for allowing the event to pass through their grounds.
With the race capacity limited to 5,000 entrants this year, there may be disappointment for some among the 7,000 people who have already expressed their interest (up from the 3,800 who entered in 2015).
The ambitious project will once again be organised by the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation (CSF) with the aid of numerous volunteers from the local area. Four official race charities have been nominated to benefit from this year’s race, with Norfolk Accident Rescue Service, Nelson’s Journey, Age UK Norwich joining CSF in that capacity.
As anadded potential bonus for this year’s entrants, among the race packs there will be ten lucky winners with ‘Run Norwich Golden Tickets’ included. Those fortunate to benefit from such will win prizes and money-can’t-buy experiences.
