Beginners Guide to 5K Series

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What is the 5K Series?

This is a series of 5K races which take place between April and September. Eight clubs compete in the league – Cambridge & Coleridge AC (C&C), Cambridge Triathlon Club (CTC), Haverhill Running Club (HRC), Newmarket Joggers (NJ), Ely Running Club (ERC), Saffron Striders (SS), Histon & Impington Runners (HI), and Royston Running Club (RRC).

When and where are the races?

They are roughly monthly, and always take place on a Thursday evening. All races start at 7:30pm, apart from the last one which starts at 7pm due to failing light. We car share as much as possible so you won’t have to travel alone!

What are the races like?

The races are both fun and competitive – there is always a friendly atmosphere and runners of all abilities are welcomed and well supported. The majority of participants are not superfast runners! There are usually 300-350 runners in each race, and numbers are rising every year.

Should I participate?

YES, there is no better way to spend a summer’s evening! Whether you race, run, or jog the 5K you still get the buzz of being part of these brilliant events! Every runner counts, so why not come and help us win the league!

Every runner wins a point for the club score, so we need as many runners as possible – it truly does not matter how fast or slow you are. There are additional points at stake for the fastest runners too.

How do I enter?

All the races are FREE and there is no registration – just turn up! You do need to be a club member and wear an HRC vest or t-shirt.

How do I get a club vest or t-shirt?

Order it from the club shop.

How will I get my results?

After you cross the finish line you will be given a yellow token showing your overall finishing position. You need to hand this to our nominated token collector (whoever is holding the clipboard) and make sure you give your name too. Please don’t take the yellow token home! The stopwatch times are then matched with finishing positions, which are matched to your names! It all takes a few days, but the results are normally on our website by the following Monday.

Are there any medals or prizes?

There are no prizes in the individual races – it’s all about club points! At the end of the series there are trophies for the male, female and overall winning clubs. There are also trophies for the top performing male and female runners across all races.

Additionally, there is a prize awarded by each club to one male and one female runner who have supported and embraced the spirit of the series (not necessarily the fastest!).