Electric Run

The OC Electric Run that took  place last November was the first 5k I have taken part in since becoming an adult. I think the Lyme Regis fun run when I was a kid was the same distance, but that wasn't a 'run' for me as much as a walk, push around and exercising the dog! I did win the fancy dress competition twice though as a duo though so I always look back on it with fun memories.

The Panasonic run team!

The Electric Run takes fun running to a whole new level. Springing up in various cities across the US. For the OC Run there were 10,000 people who took part in it, including 15 of us forming the Panasonic Team.

Some of the Girls L-R Me, Mel, Mum & Chiaki

The run takes part in the dark and everyone basically wears as much neon and as many lights and glowy things as you possible can and then all complete the course together. The course has its own lighting including UV lighting which is one of the reasons that runners are encouraged to wear as many bright colours as possible.

 Each race chooses to support a different charity. As the OC race took place in November, the nominated charity was 'Movember' supporting men's cancers. I think everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. We lost my stepfather Roy last year to the big 'C' and so this seemed a particularly worthy cause to support and made the trip around the course mean even more for us - Mum even decided to come and take  part.

The Arches

Amphitheatre

Part of the course was around an amphitheatre, which was surrounded by lights. The effect was pretty amazing! As well as all of the lighting effects, there is music pumped out loud all around the run route to keep all the runners motivated, and I must say they were blurting out some good old classics.

The Umbrella Trees - My favourite part of the course!

Mum managed to keep up a good pace throughout the course, although not quite a run, so all rallied up by the lights and the music I decided to use up my excess energy by dancing my way around the course! Did I look like a fool? Absolutely. Did I care? Absolutely not! I had the best night and all the others there had a similar experience.

My favourite lighting effect around the course was definitely the lights on the upside down umbrellas. There were about six trees decorated in this way. Other lighting effects on the course were light arches, projections and laser lighting. They were all brilliant, but if I am being totally honest I was  hoping that there would be a lot more. This race concept is still in its early days though so hopefully it will improve with each event that they put on.

Lining up for the start - all 10,000 participants were released in phases to stop a mass trample!!

It was a really great experience. If you get the chance to take part in these races in a city near you I would recommend taking part. People of all shapes and sizes and various fitness levels all can take part, and if we can do it then you definitely can!

The next run is next weekend in San Diego - to find out more about it and the other locations click here.