My dad signed me up for this fun run for the first time, and I was really excited to take part. However, I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed at first because I had to enter the Year 4 and 5 race, which was only 1.3km. I had really wanted to run in the Year 6 and 7 race, which was 2.6km, but because of my age, I wasn’t allowed. I love running longer distances – my favourite is the 5K ParkRun – and I always feel like I perform better in longer races where I can really use my stamina.

That said, I was still determined to do my best and win the Year 4 and 5 race, which was for the Under 10s. My strategy, as always, was to take an early lead, then try to extend it and wear everyone else out. This time, I came with my sister and a friend from school. My friend is in Year 6, so he was running in the Under 12s, 2.6km race, while my sister was entered in the Girls’ 1.3km race.

T oday, I had the opportunity to compete in the Welwyn Fun Run held at Panshanger Park. It’s an event I had been eagerly anticipating, knowing it would be a great chance to challenge myself and see how I could perform against other runners. The course was a 2K stretch, set amidst the scenic yet demanding landscape of Panshanger Park, featuring a notably steep incline that posed a real test. I knew from the start that the climb would be a crucial part of the race, and I mentally prepared myself to tackle it with everything I had.

As the race began, I felt a surge of excitement and determination, pushing off the start line with my usual focus on securing that first place. I’ve always aimed to finish in the top spot and push my limits as much as possible. The initial sections of the course were manageable, and I maintained a strong pace, working hard to stay in the lead or at least close to it. However, the incline soon presented itself, and it became clear that this race was going to be an uphill battle—literally and figuratively.

Today, I woke up feeling excited because the Donkin Cup was finally happening! It had been postponed twice before due to rain, which was disappointing, but luckily, today was the day. Normally, the race takes place in November, but the second postponement pushed it all the way to March. I had been training for over a year to win this race, so there were a lot of people expecting me to do well, and I really wanted to make them proud. The last time I ran in the Donkin Cup was in Year 3, where I came fourth with a time of 9 minutes and 48 seconds for 2 kilometres. I was determined to improve this year and give it my best shot.

I really enjoyed the course this time. It was a mix of grass and tarmac, which made it interesting, and there weren’t any uphill sections to slow me down. The course felt smoother and faster, which helped me focus on keeping a good pace. There was even a pace setter for us to follow, but unfortunately, he was going too slowly for my liking. I decided to overtake him, but thankfully, I knew the route well and felt confident about the circuit. Having a clear idea of where I was going made it easier to keep up my speed and stay focused on winning.