Today, I ran the Welwyn Fun Run for the second time, and it turned out to be a very hot day. We normally do ParkRun on Saturday mornings, but this time my dad suggested we do the fun run again instead. I remembered how much I enjoyed it last year, even though it rained a lot back then. This time the weather was the complete opposite. The sun was shining brightly when I woke up, and I could already feel the heat. I knew running in the sun would be harder, but I was still really excited to take part and see if I could beat my time from last year.
The Welwyn Fun Run is a 2K race for children aged between 4 and 14. Last year the course was on grass and had a steep hill, but this year it was mostly on tarmac, which made it feel different. Running on tarmac is smoother and easier in some ways, but the heat bouncing off the ground made it extra tough. When we arrived, I collected my race number and got ready. There were lots of other children lining up, and I felt both nervous and excited. I had a quick warm-up and told myself to stay focused and do my best.
As soon as the race started, I tried to find a good pace. I didn’t want to go too fast at the start and run out of energy, but I also didn’t want to fall behind. The course had a few bends and gentle slopes, but nothing too difficult. I kept pushing forward, even though the sun made it harder to breathe and my legs felt heavy. I kept thinking about how proud I’d feel if I beat my time from last year. That thought kept me going. I tried to stay near the front of the group and didn’t let the heat slow me down.
When I crossed the finish line, I was exhausted but also really happy. I checked my watch straight away and saw I had run the 2K in 8 minutes and 32 seconds. That was much quicker than my time last year, which was 9 minutes and 14 seconds. I was so pleased with myself for running faster, especially on such a hot day. But at first, something strange happened – the official results showed the wrong time for me. I was confused and upset because I knew I’d done better than what was shown on the screen.
My dad helped me check what had gone wrong, and luckily the organisers fixed the mistake later. They confirmed my real time was 8:32, just like I thought. Even better, they said I was the first girl to finish the race again! That made me feel really proud, especially because I had worked hard and didn’t give up even when it felt difficult. Winning again and getting a better time was such a great feeling. It showed me that my training is working and that I’m improving.
Now that the race is over, I’m feeling proud and motivated. I know I still have things to work on, like keeping a strong pace even when it’s hot. But I also know that I’m getting stronger and faster. I’m already thinking about coming back next year and trying to beat my time again. I want to keep getting better and maybe even try longer races one day. The Welwyn Fun Run has become one of my favourite events, and I can’t wait to do it again!
