Maria Barrow tries out this fun 5k in Hove and is far too modest to mention it but she won it!
What a happy occasion GoGIRL is. Held in Hove on the seafront, the event incorporates a chip timed evening 5k race followed by a beach party. Only women can take part in the run but everyone is encouraged to support and make the most of the party atmosphere. I love running in the evening, I love running with women, and I love to party so I thought this might be a winner.
The warm up was taken by the Townsend Twins – two women with boundless energy and the talent of being able to make you feel energised too. I did also feel a bit of a wally because I have no coordination and kept lunging into the person next to me but it made a change to be laughing before a race rather than thinking constantly about the toilet.
Our winner, Maria, with a new friend, and the high energy warm-up
The course is a loop running alongside the sea (not on the pebbles, thankfully) and is very flat which makes it a perfect route for anyone nervous of the distance or who is racing for the first time. Also, with the race taking place on a main thoroughfare there were plenty of people along the way to give a cheer or a clap. A band played as you passed going out and coming back, and on finishing there were medals and water for all – touches like these made it feel like a real celebration.
Generally after a run there’s an anti-climactic feeling as people disperse but here people treated themselves with food and drink provided by local suppliers and settled down on picnic blankets with their family and friends. The weather was incredibly good and I watched the hugely entertaining and impressive samba dancers whilst enjoying a beer.
From start to finish it was incredibly well organised and welcoming; I will be encouraging my friends to run, support or party there next year. Find out more about the race here:
www.gogirlrun.co.uk 
