FAQ for runners
If you’re a parent or guardian, check out the FAQs for parents
Questions
How do I enter the race and how much does it cost?
What is the age limit?
Will there be somewhere to change/shower?
Will I receive a medal?
How long is the course?
Where can I find advice on pre-race training?
Will I receive a t-shirt?
What if I’m injured or something else comes up and I can’t run, can I have a refund?
Can I give my race number to someone else?
Can my friend run alongside me?
I’m a wheelchair user, can I take part?
What time do I need to arrive?
Do I need to register when I arrive?
Will I be able to put my bag somewhere safe?
What’s the course like?
Where should I go if I’m not sure about something / need to ask a question on the day?
Will there be any water available?
Are there km markers on the course?
Will there be any medical/first aid facilities available?
Will there be any toilets?
Will the run be chip timed?
Are there any prizes?
How will I know my official time and position?
Will there be any photographers there to catch me crossing the finish line?
Will there be anything to eat/drink before or after the race?
My friends and family are coming along to support me. Where’s the best place for them to watch me?
What happens if I can’t finish the race?
How will I find my friends and family after I’ve finished the race?
Can I run for a charity?
Will there be anything else to do on the day?
Will we be split into age categories?
Can my friends and I run as a team?
Where’s the start and how do I find it?
Will I need a race number?
I’m not a very fast runner – can I still take part?
When is the closing date for registrations?
Answers
How do I enter the race and how much does it cost?
Entries for 2010 will open soon. You will be able to enter online via this site, it will cost £7 each and will need to be completed by a guardian or parent. For the moment, register your interest and we’ll make sure we tell you when the places go on sale. back to questions
What is the age limit?
The run is open to school years:
- 7 (11 years old)
- 8 & 9 (12 & 13 years old)
- 10, 11 & 12 (14 – 16 years old)
Please note that a participant has to be at least 11 years and no older than 16 years on 10th October 2010. If you’re not sure, then email info@royalparkshalf.com back to questions
Will there be somewhere to change/shower?
Unfortunately we can’t provide changing or shower facilities. Please arrive ready to run and bring some warm clothes with you to wear immediately after the race. back to questions
Will I receive a medal?
Yes, all Pulse3K participants will receive a medal at the finish line. back to questions
How long is the course?
The course is approximately 3km, that’s about 1.8 miles. back to questions
Where can I find advice on pre-race training?
Training plans are available under the “Get Fit” page on the website. back to questions
Will I receive a t-shirt?
Yes, you will receive a fabulous race shirt at the end of your run which we hope you’ll want to wear whilst you’re training for future races! It’s a naturally breathable t-shirt made of bamboo and recycled polyester which means it will be very comfortable to run in and good for the environment too. back to questions
What if I’m injured or something else comes up and I can’t run, can I have a refund?
Unfortunately we cannot offer any refunds or transfer places to next year. There are a great deal of costs involved in the staging of an event of this size, such as paying for staffing, infrastructure, health and safety and medical cover which aren’t recoverable. back to questions
Can I give my race number to someone else?
No. When you register we collect your medical and emergency contact details. By passing on your race number you could be endangering that person as we will not have any information on them should something happen to them. back to questions
Can my friend run alongside me?
Only if he/she has also entered the race and is wearing an official race bib (number). You’ll start together if you’re in the same age category. Why not encourage as many of your friends and class mates to register so you can run (and train) together? back to questions
I’m a wheelchair user, can I take part?
We’re afraid not for this year but we are hoping to introduce a wheelchair race into future years. back to questions
What time do I need to arrive?
We recommend that you arrive with plenty of time for the 9.45 start so you have enough time to drop off any baggage, find the loos and be ready for the warm up. The baggage area will be open from 08:00 and is located within the Brakes Food & Fitness Festival in Hyde Park. back to questions
Do I need to register when I arrive?
As long as you have received your pack then no, you just need to ensure that you arrive in good time with your race number attached to the front of your shirt, your timing chip attached to your trainers and a bag with some warm clothes. back to questions
Will I be able to put my bag somewhere safe?
There will be a baggage drop facility available for runners only. This is a shared facility with the Half Marathon runners. When you drop off your bag you will be given two numbered wrist bands; one you attach to your bag, the other you wear on your wrist. Please note that the wristband number will differ from your running number. Please do not leave any valuables with your baggage – the race organisers cannot accept any responsibility for the security of these items. back to questions
What’s the course like?
The course is run on the Parks’ tarmac paths and is pretty flat with just a few twists and turns. The course starts in front of the Hyde Park Tennis Club heading west across West Carriage Drive into Kensington Gardens at Coalbrookdale Gate. At the Albert Memorial the route heads north crossing The Flower Walk and passing The Serpentine Gallery, before the great finish stretch, shared with the Half Marathon, where you will be able to see the finish line (and crowds!) ahead of you. back to questions
Where should I go if I’m not sure about something / need to ask a question on the day?
There will be an information point located within the Brakes Food & Fitness Festival. back to questions
Will there be any water available?
Yes, there will be bottled water available free at the start and at the finish. back to questions
Are there km markers on the course?
Yes, there will be km markers so you can keep track of how far you’ve come whilst running. back to questions
Will there be any medical/first aid facilities available?
Medical / first aid facilities will be provided at the start/finish line and within the Brakes Food & Fitness Festival. However, if you feel unwell on the day or you’ve been ill during the previous week, we recommend that you don’t participate in the run. back to questions
Will there be any toilets?
There will be plenty of toilets within the Brakes Food & Fitness Festival site. back to questions
Will the run be chip timed?
You’ll receive a timing chip in your race pack. Please ensure this is securely attached to your shoe following the directions in your race pack; the time you cross the start and finish line will then be recorded electronically. If you do not wear your timing chip on your shoe, your time will not be recorded.
Please return your timing chip once you finish the race as the charity gets charged for every chip lost and we will therefore have to charge you in return! If you take your timing chip home by accident, please return it to Limelight Sports, 29-35 Rathbone Street, London W1T 1NJ back to questions
Are there any prizes?
Prizes will be awarded to each male and female in the following categories:
- Year 7
- Years 8 & 9
- Years 10, 11 & 12
How will I know my official time and position?
All results will be posted on the website – www.pulse3K.com. You will also be emailed your official time a short time after the race. back to questions
Will there be any photographers there to catch me crossing the finish line?
Yes, there will be an official race photographer and you will be able to obtain your photo via download or order. back to questions
Will there be any thing to eat/drink before or after the race?
All runners will receive a bottle of water, a bottle of Lucozade Sport and a banana immediately after crossing the finish line. In addition there will be food concessions within the Festival site where refreshments will be available to purchase. back to questions
My friends and family are coming along to support me. Where’s the best place for them to watch me?
There will be lots of places on the course where your friends and family can support you, plus some room near the finish line. We recommend that they look at the map of the route and decide where they’re going to be in advance so that you know to look out for them! back to questions
What happens if I can’t finish the race?
If you find that you need medical attention or are too tired to complete the course, please notify the nearest marshal who will call for assistance. We will make arrangements to get you back to the reunion area. back to questions
How will I find my friends and family after I’ve finished the race?
There will be a special meeting area for you to wait for your friends and family after you come through the finish line. back to questions
Can I run for a charity?
Yes of course. We would like to encourage all those running in Pulse3K to run for a charity and support their work. Unless you already have a favourite charity, why not run for one of the main charities involved in the Half Marathon such as Asthma UK, Mind, 95.8 Capital FM’s Help a London Child, Right to Play or UNICEF. Please let them know you’re running for them so they can cheer you on and say thank you! back to questions
Will there be anything else to do on the day?
There will be lots of things for you and your family to see and do during the Brakes Food & Fitness Festival, including ‘try-it’ sports activities and stage entertainment. back to questions
Will we be split into age categories?
Yes. Participants will be split into three categories – Year 7 / Years 8 and 9 / Years 10, 11 & 12. Each category will be set off at the start with a small time delay in between each start. back to questions
Can my friends and I run as a team?
We don’t have a team challenge as such, but there’s no reason why you and your friends can’t all enter, train and then enjoy race day together. Please note though that you will all have to start the race according to the school year categories given above. back to questions
Where’s the start and how do I find it?
The start will be located on South Carriage Drive just in front of Hyde Park Tennis Club to the west of the main Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon village site. A mass warm up especially for Pulse3K runners will take place by the main stage, from which you’ll then be guided to the start by our marshalls. back to questions
Will I need a race number?
Yes. Your race number, timing chip and race information will be sent out to you approximately 2 weeks before the race. Make sure you pin your race number to your t-shirt (remember to take at least 2 safety pins or pin it the night before) and attach your timing chip to your shoe before you leave home so you can’t lose or forget them. back to questions
I’m not a very fast runner – can I still take part?
Yes of course, we encourage all standards to join in and ‘give it a go’ whether you’re a jogger or sprinter, although you might find it more fun if you do some training beforehand. Take a look at our training plans on the website to help you feel fit and ready to go. back to questions
When is the closing date for registrations?
In order for us to mail out race packs at the end of September all entries must be complete by 10 September. Entries can be accepted until 24 September but for those entries received after 10 September, race packs will have to be collected from Hyde Park on Saturday 9 October or on the morning of the event.