Contribution: Ben-Zion Caspi & Janice Lai Kwan (Edited by H.Piel)
Event Name: Richmond Road Races – Run or Freeze 2024
Date: Saturday, January-28, 2024
Location: South Carleton High School, Richmond, Ontario
Synopsis – what was memorable at this event?
Janice: My first PB! The warm weather and warm at heart to see all the people who joined together to run in this small town.
Ben: It was not “Run Fast or Freeze”. Zero Celsius and perfect footing.
See Richmond Road Race video on the RunK2J YouTube Channel!
Briefly describe the overall venue & course:
Janice: South Carleton High School was super generous to give the school cafeteria where we were gathering before and after the race. Definitely needs more bathrooms! The course was beautiful despite the muddy 700m along the way.
Ben: Flat course 18 m Total Ascent. Great indoor capacity for the before and after the race. Great post-race snacks: The chili, the muffin, the hot chocolate… ok, beer and non-alcoholic beer.
My Race Experience:
Janice: In 2021, I moved to the beautiful city of Ottawa in 2021 and I did not know anyone. Thankfully to Henry Leung who introduced me to RunK2J. On January 16, 2023, I joined RunK2J. I have always wanted to do run faster and I have set a goal that one day I would be able to run a 10KM race under one hour.
On January 28, 2024, I have realized that goal and I was very thrilled and happy to have accomplished this goal. When you do not give up, great things really do happen. I encourage everyone who has a personal goal and to never give up because next time, it is your turn!
Ben: Richmond Road Race #21. I ran my 1st Richmond 10k in 1998, 50 years old kid starting to run. It was 51:38. Today, 25 years later, a 75 years young, it was 1:03:19.I am very pleased with this time. I did not train seriously lately, and I thought it will be 1:10:00. It is 5.5 months of turbulence renovation that affected everything in my life, including running. It’s always fun to to run this race, meeting people you did not see all year. The race moto is Run Fast or freeze. Well, today was a balmy 0 Celsius and perfect footing. Checking my logs, it was not the warmest Richmond race. In 2013 it was +4 Celsius. From the 21 times I ran this race I ran 3 times under 44 minutes, with a PB of 43:55. Thanks to Run Ottawa and all the volunteers for another perfect execution of this race. I calculated my age adjusted, amazingly it is 43:52, my PB in this race!
Would you do this event again?
Janice: Probably, depending on the weather since I do not like too much cold.
Ben: Of course! It has a friendly, warm atmosphere and a post-race social. great lunch. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with old running friends, and make some new ones.
Would you recommend this event?
Janice: 100%! I would recommend this event for everyone wants to experience a winter race and the people were just amazing and very helpful!
Ben: Yes. Some try to run fast in order to win or achieve a new PB, but most are not really trained and come for the “fun” to run in really freezing temperature (usually).
Closing thoughts. Any hints for others planning to do this race? Where to stay? Things to bring? What to wear?
Janice: Always bring a hat and gloves 😉
Ben: What to wear is a mystery every time. The weather is usually cold, but who knows what Climate Change will do. This year I ran without a jacket, last year I had many layers.
Overall Venue Rating: :
Janice: 5 – Monumentally Awesome
Ben: 4 – Great
Please rate the course:
Janice: 5 – Excellent
Ben: 5 – Excellent
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