The Event
No other running event offers the same framing as the Midnight race with the late start time, the arrangements around the course, the music and the party. Together with public support, you will receive a fantastic experience when you run the 10 km (6 miles) through Helsinki. The Midnight Run suits anyone who wants a fun target with their training and get an extra experience on race day.
This is the first year that this event has taken place in Helsinki and was held on Saturday 4th September 2010.
My Event
I was keen to run a good time in this event after my disappointment in the half and full marathons I had run previously. I knew this distance very well having completed countless runs in my training throughout the year, so was confident that I could do well. My target was somewhere between 43 and 45 minutes.
I was running with three other friends in this event (Maikku, Antti and Tiina) and we set off for the drive to Helsinki. After leaving the car at a friends house, we moved towards Kaisaniemi to find the start area. By the time we arrived, there was already quite a carnival atmosphere. We left our belongings in the designated area and it was not too long after this that the start time arrived.
My start time was 9.15pm and by then it was already dark. However, it was around 10C and conditions were perfect for a good run, although I had never really run in the dark before. It would also be interesting to find out how difficult this would be especially with all the other runners around!
So, 9.15pm arrived and I was off! For the first minute or so, there was quite a crowd of runners around me and much care had to be taken where you were putting your feet! However, shortly after the start the runners thinned out and I was able to settle into my own pace.
It was at the 3 km (1,9 mile) mark that I first checked my pace as this was the first marker that I saw (I'm assuming because of the crowds at the beginning I missed the first two). My pace was quite fast but I felt good and was beginning to settle into the run nicely now. As soon as the 5 km (3 mile) mark was reached (the half way point) I had another look at my watch and was pleased to see the time at 21:30. If I continued at this pace, 43 minutes was a distinct possibility!
The second half of the race was tough as I tried to continue at the same pace. The longer the run went on, the harder it became! There was a good crowd of people cheering the runners on around the Esplanadi area which gave me the lift I needed at the time! Not long after this and I was hearing the music from the start/finish area. I pushed on as hard as I could, even breaking into a sprint as I approached the finishing line! I stopped my watch and was very pleased to see the time registered as 43:17! Immediately after, the chip was removed from my shoe and I made my way to pick up my belongings and wait for the others.
After collecting my belongings, I waited on the side of the route near the end, watching the other runners come by (many of them in fancy dress!) as I tried to spot my friends. I saw Maikku as she approached the finishing line but did not see Antti and Tiina again until we met after we had all finished. We checked our "official" times, mine being 43:19, and moved on to the area where the newspaper were taking photos of the runners.
After a nice group photo, it was back to a friends house for a shower, a few nibbles and some sparkling wine! We later went out for a meal and a few more drinks before I retired to bed at about 5am!
I very much enjoyed this event, and would certainly like to do it again next year, if at all possible. The race was well organised and had a friendly and carnival atmosphere. It was nice to do it with friends too, as we were all able to share tales of our run afterwards. I was also very pleased with my time!
Results
My final time for this event was 43:19 giving me a final position of 141st out of the 3,792 finishers. A full round up of the results can be found here