Running is on the rise amongst Gen Z – news which brings joy to our hearts. And why not? Running is low-cost, great for your mental and physical health and a fantastic way to spend time with friends or meet new people.
But if you’re new to running, you might feel a little daunted at the thought of taking part in a big running event. After all, there’s a huge difference between running a casual solo 5k and taking part in a 10k or half marathon along with thousands of other entrants.
But taking part in a mass running event can be a real game changer for your running and brings a sense of satisfaction and achievement that other runs can’t touch.
Knowing what to expect from a big race – and how best to prepare – is key. So read on for our first-timer tips and hints, and follow us on socials to stay up to date with our latest advice and content.
Ready? Let’s go.
Event Guides rule
Every Great Run event is accompanied by an Event Guide, which goes out by email a month before race day. Missed it? Don’t worry – you’ll also find a link to it on the relevant event page. It contains *everything* you need to know, from road closures and public transport changes to timetables, assembly instructions, route maps and FAQs. Keep it close and read it carefully – knowledge is power.
Morning magic
Make sure race day morning goes smoothly: lay out your kit the night before, consider what you’ll have for breakfast, and fill out your race number with emergency contact details in advance. Plan your route to the start line and make sure you know how you’ll get home. If you’re raising money, the night before is a great time to give a final plug for your fundraising page. More night-before preparation tips here.
What’s a wave?
If you’ve never done a running event before, you might be unfamiliar with waves. All ‘wave’ means is the group you’ve been placed in at the start line, usually indicated by colour. We determine running waves based on your anticipated finish time, grouping runners of a similar pace together and helping regulate the flow of runners across the course. Simple but genius.
Run number
In most circumstances, your run number will be sent out to you in the post a few weeks before the event. You’ll need to safety pin it to your running top or vest so that your name and number is clearly displayed. Your number is important for a number of reasons: it contains your timing chip, ensuring that all-important accurate finish time, and our on-course cameras and photographers use it to match you to your official photos. It also shows your wave colour, assembly and start time.
Pacers
Another potentially unfamiliar term, ‘pacers’ are experienced runners who run to make a particular time. If you’re aiming for a certain time – say 2 hours, or 2 hours 10 – there’s likely to be a pacer you can match your run to. How will you spot them? Well at Great Run events, they carry flags with their run time displayed. They also carry sound systems blasting high-energy music, so you might just hear them before you see them!
Warm up
Every Great Run event includes a live warm-up which we encourage all our runners to take part in. A great warm-up is essential for any great run, so check the timings in your Event Guide and make sure you’re ready to go. More on the importance of warm-ups here.
It’s OK to walk
First-timers sometimes need the reassurance that it’s OK to walk at points during the run, so hear this: plenty of our entrants combine running with walking. Don’t overdo things and listen to your body. And if you feel unwell, stop and speak to one of our medically-trained staff along the route.
Route maps
Speaking of routes, have a good look at the route maps on the event page and in the event guide before you set off. Get familiar with them and make sure you understand what all the icons mean. You should be able to see where to expect water stations, medical support, live entertainment and different ‘zones’, as well as landmarks and sites of interest along the way.
It’s not over yet
At a Great Run event, the fun doesn’t end at the finish line. Once you’ve received your medal and goody bag, feel free to meet up with friends and family in the Après Zone, enjoy food, drink and live music and soak up the atmosphere while you test out your bragging rights. Cheers to the first of many Great Runs!
Feeling inspired? Check out a Great Run near you, or follow us on on Facebook, X, Instagram and Tiktok for more feel-good running content.
