RaceTaleFirst races
A first 5K or parkrun: how to make it a keepsake
A first 5K or parkrun is a big day for a new runner. Learn how family and friends can cheer, what to photograph and how to keep the day as a story.
A first 5K is worth marking, because you only run your first once. Cheer from the side, photograph the start and the finish, ask friends to add their pictures and keep it all as one story with the time and route.
The distance is short, so the plan is simple. Here is how to make the day count, for the runner and for the people cheering.
What is a first 5K, and what is parkrun?#
A 5K is a race over five kilometres, or about 3.1 miles. Parkrun is a free, volunteer-run 5K held on a regular schedule in parks, usually on Saturday mornings. You get timed and receive a result afterwards. Both are popular choices for a first 5K because the distance is friendly and the mood is relaxed.
Many new runners train with the NHS Couch to 5K plan, which builds up over nine weeks with three runs a week. If your runner finished that plan, the first 5K is a real milestone.
How can family and friends cheer at a first 5K?#
- Pick a spot near the finish, because a 5K is over quickly and the finish is the best place to be.
- Walk to a second point, halfway round, if the course loops.
- Hold a sign with a big name and three words. See race day sign ideas for help.
- Stay on the same side, so the runner knows where to look.
- Forget about pace. For many new runners, the goal is to finish, not to be fast.
The same rules as a marathon apply, only smaller. How to be a great race day spectator explains them.
What should I photograph at a first 5K?#
- The start, with the nerves and the number.
- The runner coming past, from the side.
- The finish, with the time visible if you can see it.
- The after, such as the smile, the water bottle and the breakfast.
A new runner often wants photos of the people who came as much as of themselves. So make sure the supporters appear in a picture too.
How do I keep the day?#
Ask everyone for their photos on the same day, and then put them in one place with the time and the route. What to do with race day photos has the steps. A race story built for a first 5K is a lovely thing to look back on after the tenth or the hundredth.
Frequently asked questions#
What is a good time for a first 5K?#
Any time that gets you to the finish. Many first-timers walk part of the way, and that is fine.
Do I need to register for parkrun?#
Parkrun asks you to register once for free, and then bring your personal barcode. Check your local event's page for the current steps, because details can differ by location.
What should spectators bring to a first 5K?#
Bring water, a sign, a charged phone and something bright to wear. The course is short, so you do not need much.
How do I share photos from a first 5K?#
Send one link to family and friends, and let them add photos and cheers with no app and no account. RaceTale then places them next to your time and route.
