Calgary 10k May 24, 2025

I registered for the Calgary Half last July but then somehow BLU happened and having not really recovered, dropping to the 10k and racing on Saturday became very appealing.  I love the 2 day approach to the Cal Mara weekend this year. 

We will be the first race of the weekend at 7:30 (4000 runners), followed by the 5k at 9:15 (2800).  Parking is free and easy in town, there’s no significant line for the gear check and plenty portas.  The temperature is perfect so we don’t even need gear check.  It's a splendid morning for a race.  Note, we are not allowed inside as the Expo is still set up for Saturday. 

The start and finish lines are my favourite parts of a 10k.  There's a DJ and great energy, people are excited.  It reminds me of my first ever 10k in 2011.  That was also the Cal Mara when the race started in Bridgeland.  I wore far too many layers and ended up alarmingly purple.  

Off we go onto a detour around the new arena construction then through Inglewood.  Elvis is there on the zoo bridge and right after him we have an honest to god piper.  It's beautiful.  

Running is so hard today, it has been since April so not a surprise but still - it's hard.  Legs and lungs say no thank you (and some other things starting with F).  I find whenever I run through that I'm always in much more pain after.  

After 5k it becomes even less fun than it was initially.  When did the whole of Bridgeland become an uphill?  Back onto Memorial in the sun then under the Centre St Bridge into East Village.  It's clearly a beautiful day for this.

I am absolutely amazed by the support out for this race, especially with the Half/Mara being the next day.  I really enjoy the energy of the Ukrainian Society in the last km, that is a treat.  We round the corner and see the Finish, again so lively.  I attempt to sprint a bit early and CANNOT keep going, who am I today?  Yikes.  Denied.  

The finish line festival is awesome, I didn't see any of it last year with the rain.  There's a live band, awards, beer garden, seats and plenty sunshine.  Now I can see why they moved the finish.  

The food trucks are excellent.  Here we are making up for the minimal calories burned.

With all types of running you always feel enormously better after you've done it.  A shockingly good non alcoholic ice cold beer and large medal does not go amiss either.  

Our drive home coincides with Chick-fil-A opening which is also the only time the place is not complete insanity.  So much winning today.  Calgary 10k 1:22:23 (9 mins slower than 2011).