Here comes summer - the British 10K

[Sweder]

Allegedly. Not much evidence over the past few days here in 'sunny' Sussex. Still, in the spirit of a new season, time to get back into some running.

Having successfully avoided the Seaford Half last weekend (a combination of poor health and lapsed lifestyle meaning I didn't even enter the race), I have signed up for the British 10K. Well, OK, I signed up for it last month, let's not split hairs.

This takes place in Central London on Sunday 3rd July, in the week of the 60th anniversary of VE Day and three days before the announcement by the IOC of the host City for the 2012 Olympics. Pretty exciting times, huh?

London will be decked out in full RW+B finery in recognition and anticipation.
I've been fairly ambivalent towards the Olympic effort, but I confess to a growing sense of excitement as O-Day approaches. I would love to see the Olympics in London; moreover, I would love to see my children experience a 'home' Olympiad. My daughter will be 16 in 2012 and I'd like to think (based on her current enthusiasm for sport and competition) still actively involved in some form of athletics. I can think of no greater inspiration for young athletes.

Of course the jury is far from in, and Paris are in the box seat; but I know we'd do it better. Look at the Athens games; Great Britain drew the largest traveling support of any nation (hosts notwithstanding). We love our sport. It's fair to say we're slow starters - the pollsters claim the Paris bid enjoys an 85% approval rating from Mnsr and Mdme Paris, whilst Londons' numbers hover modestly in the seventies.

That's all well and good, but what the IOC needs to take into account is natural British reticence. A substantial tranche of the populace in this green and pleasant land are reluctant to nail their colours to the mast all the while there's a chance our bid will fall short. There's a little voice in all of us just dying to bleat on about the obscene cost of the bid alone. Imagine! All that money wasted and we didn't even get the damned Games . . .

Well, as popular culture reminds us daily, you gotta be in it to win it, and I for one am pleased as punch that Lord Coe and his impressive band of Olympians are giving it their best shot. Should we prevail in Singapore one month hence just watch those approval ratings climb.

So, the British 10k then. Doing my bit for the 2012 effort?
Not really. I needed a race and 10K sounds pretty short and 'do-able', so I'm in. Hats off to Peterward who drew this race to my attention; we'll certainly meet up for a glass or two of medicinal recovery juice.