Blackburn Celebration 5K Run

Sunday July 13th - programme starting at 10:30 am.

See link http://www.ukresults.net/08jul.html#blackburn for info and online or postal entry.
NB. No entry on the day.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has decided that they want to promote a Town Centre race programme as part of a summer festival of sport. They have approached us at Blackburn Harriers to assist them in the organisation of the event.

This is a traffic free course.

We have put together a programme that starts with a series of Junior 1 mile / 2 mile road races, which will be on a similar format to the mini-marathon type events as they will incorporate a town school contest alongside the open race for club and unattached junior athletes.
Race 1 for primary school age, Race 2 is for Year 7&8 and race 3 for Year 9&10. (Older athletes will be able to run in the 5k races)

There will then be an "Elite" 5K race on an accurately measured 3 lap course. The qualifying times are not rigid, so anyone who thinks they have an equivalent time from another endurance distance / discipline, feel free to contact me.

Finally there will be an open 5K for all.

The Council has made a 3 year committment to the event and in subsequent years the "bonus" for a target time will switch to a course record bonus.

As revenue is not the object of the event, entry fees have been kept to a minimum, especially considering the traffic free element. I hope that we will have some support from you forumites young and old for this event.

If you want any further info, feel free to post a question or PM me.

Is this a flat/fast course? If so, it should be a cracking event!
However, it's on the same day as the St. Annes 5K which certainly is flat/fast!

This looks like a very interesting event, pity about the clash with the Lytham St Annes races.

I don't know about anyone else but it immediately reminded me of the old Shopping Centre 5k in Blackburn back in the day. That was 6 or so laps with a slight rise/fall and some sharp turns on each lap.

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Originally Posted by OnceWasRunner

This looks like a very interesting event, pity about the clash with the Lytham St Annes races.

I don't know about anyone else but it immediately reminded me of the old Shopping Centre 5k in Blackburn back in the day. That was 6 or so laps with a slight rise/fall and some sharp turns on each lap.

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Did you ever do the Southport Town Centre 5K? That was six and a half laps of a dead flat rectangular circuit which involved part of Lord Street being coned off.

The last time i did it a fire engine with the blue lights flashing had to pick it's way through the cones and runners and i think the police put the mockers on the race being run again after that

The race is on a flat 3 lap course. The lap is a few yards over the mile so for the 5K we will have 3 laps and a bit. Enevitably there are some bends to negotiate, but I have walked the course and they are "wide" bends that should allow decent times.

The course is being officially measured shortly to ensure any times count for rankings.

I agree that the clash is unfortunate, but we have had to fit in with the Council's plans, which is for 1 month of sport, which will include a boxing day, also a town centre cycle race.
And whenever you fix a summer road race it is likely to clash with something.

Anyway, I think there is room for both events, and the idea has come from the old Blackburn Race.

It does seem that due to Health & Safety officers at Council level, Traffic Free is the way that events are going to have to go, and many road races will not survive the next few years. Our own Ribble Valley 10K will be traffic free this year.

And even the Ponies can enter this event as a Team! The open race that is!

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

.....Our own Ribble Valley 10K will be traffic free this year.

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Tell us more - same course? will RVBC close the roads?

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Originally Posted by Martins Mrs

Tell us more - same course? will RVBC close the roads?

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All will be revealed in due course - let's not lead this thread astray:) but yes same course.

I'd love to have a crack at this but its on the same weekend as the Olympic T&F Trials!

You could do a double with the 5k at the OT on the saturday and the Blackburn 5k on the Sunday? It looks like it will be a great event. The course looks fast and the prize money in the elite race is pretty good!

...thats assuming you're not doing the 1500 though!

Whats the prize money then?

I've put the link on - it's all on there!

http://www.ukresults.net/forms/080713blackburn.pdf - here's the form.

£300 for 1st Man and 1st Woman in the eilte 5K race - with a £200 bonus for a sub 14:30 by a man or 16:30 by a woman, which will be available in future years for a course record.

Traffic free course and officially measured.

And how many Africans have already entered?!?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tomcee

You could do a double with the 5k at the OT on the saturday and the Blackburn 5k on the Sunday? It looks like it will be a great event. The course looks fast and the prize money in the elite race is pretty good!

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The way I felt the day after last years AAA's I wouldn't be threatening the prizes!

RR - I can confirm im the only african entered :)...in other words you can have some good monies if you want it?! plus you get to spend the day in the charming lancashire town of blackburn!

Looks to be coming along nicely now - but I would like a few more Elite Women please:p
For the race of course!

So any Lady Sub 20m 5K runners out there, PM me and I will sort you out.

Guys it's Sub 16m or equvalent for the elite race and I already have a couple of handy forumites in there!

And don't forget the Open 5K race for all us mere mortals, and the junior races.

WP

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

I already have a couple of handy forumites in there!

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I think he spells it Andi.;)

I'm handy, what do you need doing.

Races are looking really good now. The quality and depth of the Elite Men's and Ladies races has come on over the last few days.
The event seems to have caught on.

And Open race entries are also excellent.

If anyone still wants to enter any of the races, Elite 5K, Open 5K or Juniors, you can still enter on line through John Schofield or PM me for more info.

Around 50 elite athletes now split 30 men / 20 women if they all turn up!

Expecting a quick one.

Worth coming watching if you are not running.

Full supporting cast of Junior Races and Open 5K Race.

U12 race - approx 100, U14 & U16 races - we have room for more if anyone wants to come along on the day.

Elite race - if anyone still wants an entry - pm me you should be sub 16 male and sub 19:30 lady.

Open 5K - we are over 100 now and can take some entries on the day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

Expecting a quick one.

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:eek:

I'll say

http://www.ukresults.net/2008/bbelite.html

Was chuffing quick. Heart rate just about returning to normal pace. My take away pizza will fix it!

You deserve the Pizza Andy.

I was out of breath myself - and I only watched!

Really enjoyed the day - all the races were excllent and Witton Parkette showed she can do the roads as well as the fells and XC in the U16 Girls race.

Just wish more secondary schools had sent kids - the primary age group was really well supported, and keep an eye out for the winner - 9 year old girl still in Year 4 and a sub 6 minute mile beating all the lads.

RR had a cracking run, chasing Tony Ford all the way and they are now 2nd and 3rd on the UK 5K Road Rankings in what was the fastest UK road 5K this year.
Only Mo Farah in the USA has run quicker.

Ladies were fantastic as well. Loads of quick times.

And on my course:eek: The first timne I've helped put something like this together. It really gives a buzz I can tell you.

http://www.ukresults.net/09jul.html#blackburn

We are back again this year with some slight tweaks.

There will be only one 5K race which will also be the NoE 5K Road Champs.

The Open Race will have cash prizes as last year with up to £500 for the winning man and woman for a record time.

Fast PB course.

Last year was arguably the fastest 5K Road Race held anywhere in England - the Power of 10 doesn't show the current rankings but Tony Ford, Andi Jones and Ben Fish all featured up at the top , with only Mo Farah I think quicker than Tony.
Rebecca Robinson was also very high up in the ladies standings.

Full programme of junior races as well.

Hopefully we'll see some of you there.

This may come as a shock, but with my new shins, I'm hoping to get involved!!!

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Originally Posted by Bant

This may come as a shock, but with my new shins, I'm hoping to get involved!!!

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The 2 mile fun run is at 1.00pm and you get a free T-Shirt:D

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Originally Posted by Witton Park

The 2 mile fun run is at 1.00pm and you get a free T-Shirt:D

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What times the VETS race??? :p

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Originally Posted by Bant

What times the VETS race??? :p

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Come and have a run around the Duddon Valley next weekend with me;)

You need to get your entries in this weekend if you want to be part of the NoE 5K Champs as an individual or team.
http://www.ukresults.net/09jul.html#blackburn

Entry is available on the day, but not with NoE qualification.

Don't forget the full programme of junior races.

1 mile for Primary kids - U12.

1 mile for Secondary Year 7&8 age - U14

2 mile for Secondary Year 9&10 - U16

Year 1 upward can do the 5K.

I've entered but can't do it now, pleaaassse can I have a refund? :(