I am a keen runner who happened to be a Christian, therefore finding it hard to attend most races as they are held on Sundays. Why aren't the organisers doing many races on Saturday? A significant number of us are being deprived of the chance to take part in organised event in a sport we love. Help!!
By the way, are there any Christians around Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire keen to get some races together. Or otherwise, are there any races being organised in these areas on Saturday?
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Otherwise try cross-country, all the races are on Saturday!
Good luck
John
Havent done that for 20 years but I seem to remember it occupying a lot of Sunday
Which makes my own position rather hypocritical, since racing on Sundays prevents my husband from going to church with our two younger children (Kevin goes along but sets up the Traidcraft stall and helps with tea rather than going to Sunday school, and Ivor won't go and isn't welcome anyway because the vicar's wife gets twitchy when he mooches around the graveyard on his own, so I stay at home with him anyway). On the other hand, he goes to church every Wednesday and could go to the early service on Sundays if he would get out of his pit in time.
For some, there's the whole Eric Liddle type issue of whether or not it's OK to compete on a Sunday at all.
I think people like Neyo who adhere firmly to their beliefs in the face of the massive temptation provided by races are to be respected. Taking my more practical approach is easier, but the path of true discipleship is a narrow one.
And what about people like Sassie, who are priests and therefore can't opt out of Sunday obligations?
I personally do not believe in a lot, apart in the belief that others should be allowed to believe in what they want.
If you do not want to miss church on a Sunday Morning there are a few races dotted around that kick off on an afternoon, if it is a whole ‘not compete on a Sunday thing’ there are two options that I can see:
1) Join a club and get involved in the local cross-country league – these are normal on a Saturday
2) In the summer – evening races are becoming more popular so keep an eye out for them and move your racing to during the week.
Contact the local division of the AAA and they should be able to provide you with a fixture list
Will
WildWill, thanks for your advice about joining the local runnng club. I am going to find out more this week
I am still keen to hear from others who feel the need for more Saturday racing.
By the way, any idea where I can get an October's copy of the RW?. I can only find November in my local shop (which I have bought and ravenously read. Mom-in-law's christmas gift is sorted, I think! - subscription to RW)
Hope to see you at some Saturday races!
Cheers, V-rap.
I live close to where H,B&B join and like you wonder whether there could be a better spread of races across Saturdays & Sundays (there are already several other family things that get in the way of going to church on Sundays that running always seems like an extra one).
Like you I wouldn't advocate stopping races on Sundays (as an earlier writer implied you said) but it would be nice to have more choice. (I guess one of the issues is that it's traditionally been easier to close roads on Sundays, although that logic is getting more dubious these days.)
My Dad, husband and I are all Christians and runners and whilst we don't have any moral problems ourselves with racing on sundays, we would like more races on saturdays because we miss the main church service of the week otherwise.
I think there is a general feeling on this thread that we are not suggesting that races on sundays should be stopped, but it would be nice as Christians to be able to do both racing and worshipping at the weekend.
Although we've never sorted ourselves out well enough there are at least 2 forumites in Pitstone, I'm in Cheddington and there are a few more scattered round Dunstable - Aston Clinton - Berko.
What sort of pace do you like to run at?
Just spotted Wolverton 5m on Saturday 23/11 - see events thread - not too far from you
Nick
What a relief to note that there are other Christian runners out there too! I would love to see more Sunday races. Maybe we should write in to all the running mags and groups etc to try to promote this....?
H-R
Thanks for your information about Wolverton race. I've just downloaded the universal entry form for the race. Would you be there on the day? Once again thanks
I presume you mean more Saturday races. By the way, as you might have read, Nick did suggest there is a 5 miler on Saturday 23/11/2002 in Milton Keynes. You might be intersted if you live close.
It would be a good idea if more Christian runners could make themselves known and then maybe such request could be put forward. In the meantime, enjoy your running and stay safe .
Sometimes there's Sunday afternoon races, such as 2pm, now I'm not sure what time the Church service finishes, but have a look out for those races in your area.
Yes, I meant more SATURDAY races. Sorry.... (not a seventh day adventist as some may have thought!)
Blessings....
H-R
I am doing the Coniston 14 which is held on Saturday March 22 next year.
I have never done a saturday race before, but, just a thought, wont there be more people and traffic about on a saturday making it harder to travel and park etc......