Today, I took part in a race in Hitchin called the Golden Mile. It was a one-mile run through the town centre, and it was open to all children under the age of 14. I was really excited but also knew it would be a tough race because I’m only eight years old. Still, I wanted to push myself and try my best to get a good time, even though I was running against older children.

There were around 140 runners in total, a mix of boys and girls. I knew that meant the race would be very competitive, so I gave it everything I had right from the start. I tried to stay focused and keep my pace strong the whole way through. It was a busy and exciting race, and the crowd cheering really helped me keep going.

Today, I ran in the Middlesex Young Athletics League at Perivale. I was very proud to take part because I was chosen to be in the scoring team for my athletics club in the under 11s age group. This meant a lot to me, as it showed that my coaches believed in me. The race distance was 600 metres, and I felt confident that I could get a strong time and help my team.

This was my first race of the track season, and I was really excited. I enjoy track season much more than cross country, especially because I prefer running on a smooth surface rather than in the cold and muddy fields. I had trained hard and was looking forward to seeing what I could do. I told myself to stay focused, especially at the start, so I could get off the line quickly and settle into a good rhythm.

There were more runners than usual today — over 1,300 people were taking part. I think the huge number was because lots of people had come down for the London Marathon, which is taking place tomorrow. I lined up near the front so I would have a clear start and not get stuck behind too many runners. The atmosphere was amazing, and I could feel the excitement in the air as everyone got ready to go. I reminded myself to stay calm and focused on my goal.

When the race started, we got off to a strong and steady start. The famous runner who was pacing and looking after me was aiming to set a pace of around four minutes and three seconds per kilometre. Our goal was to finish in about 20 minutes and 15 seconds. Throughout the run, he was incredibly supportive, always giving me helpful information about how far we had gone, what pace we were running at, and how much distance was left. His encouragement really helped me stay positive and keep pushing.

Today, I ran in the London Easter Junior Run on Monday, 21st April 2025. I had been looking forward to this race for weeks. It was a special event just for kids, and I was excited to see how I would do. When we got to the park, there were lots of children and families all around. Some kids were warming up, others were chatting with friends, and everyone looked ready to race. The sky was a little cloudy, but the weather felt just right for running – not too hot and not too cold.

When the race started, I quickly moved into second place. I could see the boy in front of me just a few steps ahead. I knew I had to stay calm and not rush too soon. We had only just begun, and I needed to save energy for the rest of the run. But then, just 50 metres in, I saw a chance to overtake him — and I did! I moved into first place and felt really proud. My heart was beating fast, but I also felt strong and focused.