PC: @tomschlegel
Nothing quite like a 3:30am wake up call when got to bed at midnight and hadn’t slept much the previous 24 hours. But once we rubbed the sleep out of our eyes, we were nothing by amped to go watch THE event – the reason why we were all there in the first place! It was a short walk from the campsite to the entrance to the track and getting to witness literally everything that was going on, caused all of us to get hyped about it all. It was still dark but the track was lit up with blue and red lights and signs everywhere. While we weren’t even running, you could sense the nervousness from everyone, and we all knew that no matter the outcome, we were about to witness history.
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @maxmenning
There we were, part of the live event while the television show was hosted by Sal Masekela with commentary provided by Paula Radcliffe, Craig Masback, Kevin Hart and Shalane Flanagan. All spectators were gathered by the finish line holding signs and leaning right up against the barriers not wanting to miss any of the action. It’s hard to describe what it was like to watch this historic event, so I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.
PC: marekogien
PC: marekogien
PC: marekogien
PC: @airbnb
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @Melo
PC: marekogien
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @tomschlegel
PC: @maxmenning
And then the celebration began!!
PC: maxmenning
PC: maxmenning
PC: @corywhartonmalcolm
PC: maxmenning
PC: @gautierpellegrin
PC: @corywhartonmalcolm
PC: marekogien
PC: marekogien
I’m still processing all the thoughts in my head about what happened during that 2 hours and 25 seconds, but they will be shared during another reflection post that is brewing in my mind right now.
THE MOST EPIC 5K I’VE EVER RUN!!!
After witnessing history, we walked back to camp for some breakfast and to reflect on what we all just watched. Despite most of us running on fumes, the buzz of excitement was palpable in the air. I think it’s fair to say we were all hoping for a nap. But then Cory gets on the mic and announces…
PC: @maxmenning
That we were going to run a 5K – ON THE MONZA TRACK – the place we just watched the fastest marathon run EVER. “Don’t eat too much – you’re going to run very soon!” As if the excitement of that wasn’t enough, when we went back to our tents, we had some surprises waiting for us – a full running kit!
PC: @clairemueller
Even though we were just at the track a few hours prior, arriving this time felt different – maybe because we were ACTUALLY ON THE TRACK this time!
Same race car used during Breaking2 paced us for the 5K! PC: @pimrinkes
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @pimrinkes
PC: @pimrinkes
As we ran along the exact course that the world’s greatest runners had just run on a few hours before, the pure joy of being there was evident on all of our paces. You could feel the speed of the track and you knew you were on sacred ground.
PC: @pimrinkes
PC: @pimrinkes
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @maxmenning
PC: @pimrinkes
PC: @pimrinkes
After I cross the finish line I went back and realized that I crossed the EXACT same finish line that Eliud Kipchoge, Zersenay Tadese, and Lelisa Desisa had crossed the same morning. To say I was humbled wouldn’t even be close to accurate.
Definitely THE most epic 5K I’ve ever run and one I will NEVER forget. The energy, the support, the pure joy of running, the desire to find our own “breaking2 moment” – just looking through the photos brings me back to this run. I am so grateful I got to run it with this amazing group!
PC: @maxmenning
Mooventures 