Split up running partners

[Deleted User]

I am quite upset to see that the Nike 10K has decided to apply a '5 waves' system(30 min start times). I understand that there is an estinated 30,000 runners, and something has to be done to limit the disruption, but i applied with 4 friends, and we have all been put into different waves, so whats the point of "going nocturnal"if you're all in different groups. Does anyone know how we can all run together.

[Deleted User]

If last years was anything to go by, they didn't enforce starting procedures rigidly at all. It wasn't like the London marathon where you are all in numbered starting pens.

My advice would be for you all to go on the last wave as they would have no choice but to let you all run together then!

[Deleted User]

Yeah good idea, i think the last wave goes off at 9.00pm, i'll put it to them. Have you done it before, this is our first one

[Deleted User]

did it last year at Richmond Park (was living in london at the time) - not doing it this year as now living in Oxford and I think its way too expensive for a 10K race (including transport to and from London) around a crappy part of London in the dark - but thats just my opinion!!

[Deleted User]

Danno, I'm going to run with my partner who is in wave 4 and I am supposed to be in wave 2, but I dont like sticking to rules.

Don Minquez

Erm... I think it's a rather good idea! If people don't abide by the waves, then you'll end up fecking the entire system up.

[Deleted User]

well you must be running either on your own, or your friends are in the same wave as you. I agree it is a good idea if you and your friends are together. We are all in different waves.

Don Minquez

Well, if you all put down different times, this has always been erring on the side of inevitable

[Deleted User]

Danno,

last year, I went out to Richmond Park and the traffic and stuff was so bad that I was not there in time for my wave so just went with whatever one happened to be going...I am sure the same thing would work this time.

Obviously, Jon is right that the system is there for a reason but a few people here or there going for different waves is not going to make too much difference, I am sure!

[Deleted User]

If they put different times, why would they run together?

"Hello", "Oh, hello", "Hiya".

<BANG>

"Bye then", "See ya", "See you at the finish"...

Don Minquez

LOL!

It's bound to ruin the organisation if you start swapping pens. If I see someone who's not meant to be in my wave, I will not be a nice person.

[Deleted User]

Your wave number is on your race number so if you're in the wrong wave the marshalls will try to move you to the wave that you should be in.

[Deleted User]

... which will be impossible if it has already gone.

[Deleted User]

Jon - which wave are you in?

Don Minquez

The mexican one.


Not really. I'm in wave one.

[Deleted User]

Its very simple just run it on your own, and meet your friends at the finish.

Dont be a pain to the organisors and fanny around swapping pens at the start.

If you want to run along chatting with your friends go on a training run or something.

[Deleted User]

I hate to say it but Jason X I totally agree. Everyone was asked their predicted times when they applied.

[Deleted User]

We all applied together and put the same times down so someones messed up, but not to worry its just a little frustrating.

[Deleted User]

I've got the same problem Danno. In my case two entries with the same estimated times, made frorm the same computer, with the same credit card have been put in different waves.

Surely something could've been done to stop this from happening?!

Don Minquez

Maybe they were on the cusp, so to speak.

[Deleted User]

I really don't get why people want to run together. Sorry if I'm missing something. We can do that all the time in training runs. And you can 'go nocturnal' every evening.

But this is a race and I wouldn't want to run at the pace of my friend, or hold him back if he was faster than me.

Ellie.

I agree with Jason X aswell. To me a race is the time to put in your best effort over the distance. How can you do that if you're hanging back waiting for a friend or killing yourself trying to keep up. However i do appreciate that some races are more events, e.g. GNR I just go to enjoy it (and start at the back!), but if you have been split up like this then i think you should run your own race. There's plenty of opportunities to chat to your mates.

Don Minquez

Quite... I just hope I don't end up running with Waaps.

Minks

I have to say that it really p***es me off when people deliberately start messing with the system just so that they can run with their friends, or turn up late for the start and simply join the next group.

You were asked to predict your finishing time on your application. If you and your friends expect to finish in different times, then you should have expected to be in different starts.

Don't ruin the race for everyone else by starting with the wrong group. This happened last year and it's really frustrating being stuck behind people who are already having to walk at 2K.

I agree with Jon - if I see people in the wrong start pen I won't be nice to them!

[Deleted User]

Jon - we will be starting together!

I'm in the 8.30 wave but I've decided to enter yours instead so I can kiss your ass.

[Deleted User]

Christ! Did I just say that? I meant whup your ass.

Don Minquez

Waaps, I'll be there from 1730 for a special one off ass kissing session. I'll book you into the 1734 slot.

[Deleted User]

"You were asked to predict your finishing time on your application. If you and your friends expect to finish in different times, then you should have expected to be in different starts."

And if we did put the same times? Personally, I fully intend to stick to the "wave" system, just think it would've been nice if they'd been somewhat cleverer with the allocation to waves.

[Deleted User]

I'm in start 2 but i don't know yet what start my partner is in. It will be a problem if we are in different starts, not because we want to run together (she's too fast for me) but because of arriving and leaving together.

The fact that they would be staggering the start over 2 hours was not mentioned in any of the blurb btw.

[Deleted User]

I am glad that someone out there agrees with me. The fact of the matter is not that i want to "chat" with my friends on a strole round the park, we have a wager on who will win so we want to race each other. Thats the problem, now maybe you can understand.

Minks

If you all put down the same predicted finishing time on the application, then it might be worth contacting the organisers if you've been allocated different starting waves. Sorry, I assumed you all had different finishing times and wanted to run 'with your mates' rather than race each other.