As a progression within the 'Clubmark' scheme, the Pudsey Pacers Club, it's coaches and athletes, ideally need to demonstrate an understanding of the 'Run Britain' and 'Power of 10' initiatives as promoted by UK Athletics.
What is Run Britain ?
Run Britain is the road running part of UK Athletics, with the stated aim of 'making British Road Running the best in the world in terms of organisation, development and performance.
Laudable aims, but what is in it for the individual, and, by extension, the Club?
Run Britain can be used as a 'one stop shop':
- View training tips and related articles.
- Identify potential road races through the extensive race calendar.
- Enter races.
- Comprehensive results service.
- General Athletics news.
- Blogs.
- Overall and age/gender specific national rankings.
- Monthly competition using handicap system that rewards those racing more and competing over
different distances.
And 'Power of 10' ? Another mission statement, this from British Athletics:
'The sport of Athletics has a mission to strengthen the depth for every event, in every age group, across every nation and region of the United Kingdom. The 'Power of 10' illustrates the challenge, and is in place to motivate competitors, coaches and Clubs'.
Recognition is afforded to Clubs/coaches/athletes by way of an awards scheme for those meeting the 'UK 100' and 'UK10' standards for track and field events.
To take the 5k as an example, runners need to achieve the following times:
UK 100 M: 14:33 F: 17:45
UK 10 M: 13:35 F: 15:36
If those times seem unrealistic at our Club's current stage of development, then Power of 10 offers much more of interest to the local non-track runner:
- A comprehensive race results service
- Age grading
- National rankings by distance.
The individual needs to achieve a 'baseline standard' for inclusion of a result to be logged against his or her personal record. Again to use the 5k as an example; Open age, Men 16:45, Women 20.00, with an increasing time allowance under the age grading system. Further allowance is made taking into account the degree of severity of any given race - eg a 72 minute Guy Fawkes 10 might equate to a 70 minute Askern 10 for purposes of grading, and inclusion in the individual's results.
In practice, various random results show up against the individual's record on Power of 10, from WYWL X/C, to Parkruns, fell races and Yorkshire Vets, as more and more races are 'captured' by the system. There is also a facility to submit 'missing' performances. Simply enter your name on the 'Athletes' tab and check out your year on year performances (or those of your rivals !)
Incidentally, the World Masters Running Association describes the level achieved at given percentages as follows:
100% = World record
90% = World class
80% = National class
70% = Regional class
Pudsey Pacers must be doing something right as current PP runners have racked up some 150 runs at a grading in excess of 80%.
Conclusion: For added motivation, inspiration, and general interest, take a look at these sites:
www.runbritain.com
www.thepowerof10.info
nb: there is a link from 'Power of 10' to 'Run Britain'.
jw (ranked 31165 ex 173089 !)
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