Love Hackney? Run Hackney! say the posters. I get The Guilt every time I see them. I do love Hackney (so much so, I live there). And I am a member of the ELLE Running Club. But I did one half marathon once, and I hated every step of it, and I vowed never to do another one.
Woe is me, right?
Well, Im stepping up (or, I should say, forward. Literally). If anythings going to make me lace up my trainers and tackle those 21 painful k again, its being able to say Im part of the first ever Run Hackney Half Marathon.
The route is beautiful, the community spirit is through the roof, and heres hoping that once Ive done it, ordering a pastry with my coffee in the Hackney Bureau will feel a little less naughty.
The Details
What: Run Hackney Half Marathon 2014
When: Sunday, 22 June 2014
Where: Hackney, London
Distance: 21km / 13.1m
Fit Factor: 3/5
Why Im Running: Ive jogged around the edges, forgotten my kit for our weekly Wednesday Team ELLE lunchtime run more times than I dare admit, tried a half, hated it, clocked up a couple of 10ks, didnt mind them I need to commit. If anything will make me do that, its the challenge of a half on home turf.
Race Mantra: Its not the winning but the taking part, etc etc
Run it: Anyone can sign up to run online up to 12pm on 27 May. Standard entry costs £42 but theres a range of discounts available, from 10% for students to up to 50% for Hackney residents in receipt of certain state benefits. Visit the official website for more details.
Watch it: For the first time, Hackney will close its roads, and the race welcomes spectators. Line the route!
Follow it: Keep up with all the action on Twitter at @RunHackney and #RunHackney.
Find out more: Visit http://runhackney.com/ for information.
Want to get started? Follow the Running Club's 0-5k plan.
