After weeks of training, the day of the 10k arrived. The weather was sunny but with a nice chilly breeze in the area, which is a blessing when you are running such a distance.

I arrived at Sefton Park with the warm up in full swing. The atmosphere in the park was electric with racegoers mixing with family and friends who had turned out in support.

Once the warm up was done, it was time to line up and await the countdown to the start of the race.

With the anticipation rising, the crowd counted down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and we were off, the crowd cheered and clapped and wished well the thousands of female runners taking part.

My aim was to run the race in under an hour, so I set off with a good pace doing the first 1k in around 6 minutes.

After 2k I had settled into my pace, and thoroughly enjoyed the run.

The support from the crowd was phenomenal, and a big thank you to all who turned out in support as your claps and cheers and good wishes really do keep the runners in good spirits.

Nearing 9k, the end was in sight, and I could not believe how quickly it had gone, I reached the final bend with 300 metres to go. The roar of the crowd had really picked up at this point, and I could see the clock showing 59:15. I knew that I had not crossed the start line until 1:20 due to the crowd in front of me but seeing the time spurned me on even more.

I dug deep determined, to finish in under an hour. Nearing the finish line, I heard the cheers of “well done Michelle” and was delighted to see Elaine one of our secretaries cheering me on in the crowd. I crossed the finish line, in my official timing of 58:44 and was ecstatic.

Met by family and friends I was on a high and declared that I will be running a half marathon next.

It was a fabulous event to take part in, and event better to have raised £130 for Nugent Care, our charity of the year in the process!