by RBR Admin 
Night of 10,000m PBs, photo by Steve O’Sullivan for Highgate Harriers
The night of 10,000 meter PBs is one of my favorite events EVER. This year, the event is on May 19, 2018, at Hampstead Heath track and it will feature the European Cup 10,000 meters. I have been twice. In 2016, I survived driving fromManchester to London with Pete Riley, the sports marketing manager for NB in GBR. Pete has quite creative way of slowing down his car on country roads (it will be a major column in @runblogrun, perhaps a movie). In 2017, I stayed nearby and covered the event with my son, Adam. It was, again a blast. In 2016, I was lucky enough to meet my hero, Nick Rose, European 5000m champion, and classic British distance runner, with David Bedford, another classic.
This year, I am unable to make the event. Here’s the release on the event from Race Director Ben Pochee, who will be developing a pedestrian bridge over the track this year. We think that it sounds fantastic! Also, there are a mere handful of athletics events that one can enjoy an adult beverage while watching runners do their best over 25 laps of 400 meters. Oh, and to sponsors looking for a great event, the Highgate Harriers Night of 10,000m PBs should be considered for sponsorship. It has all the things one desires in a track event: enthused fans, great opps for activation, light and fun culture, and the amazing combination of fine competition with sports entertainment!
David Bedford with a new Beer brand, photo courtesy of Highgate Harriers
Why is the Highgate Night of 10,000m PBs so damn good? Well, the combination of real, enthused track fans, good, local food trucks, entertainment, and a unique way to view 10,000 meters, while having a few cold beverages is a perfect way to activate a crowd. The Highgate 10k is a night of fun, combining sports and entertainment, with enough respect given to the competitors and enough fun for even the most callous of pretend sports fans and real sport fans.
Night of the 10,000m PB’s
Saturday May 19th 2018
The annual Night of the 10,000m PBs on May 19th is chance for spectators to watch international athletics 100% for free and get uniquely close to the action from lane 3 of the track. This annual event will not only be the British 10,000m Championships, but this year will play host to 27 nations as they do battle in the European Cup team competition.
On 19th May 2018 the event aims to make the audience a part of the event as never before by erecting a pedestrian bridge that will enable fans to cross the tartan and line the inside of the track. Spectators famously take ownership of lane 3 during the event and allowing them increased track access will elevate the event’s already electric atmosphere.
The bridge concept was a long held idea of race founder Ben Pochee and this year event partner Pro:Direct Running stepped forward to make it a reality. Dan Prettejohn, Pro:Direct Running’s Brand Manager, is understandably excited about the deal. “We’re incredibly grateful for this opportunity and I’m thankful to Ben Pochee for allowing us to be a part of the event in this way. Not only is it a great way of announcing that we’re serious about athletics, it allows us to connect people closer to the sport.”
2016 Highgate Harrier Night of 10,000m PBs highlights tape
A volunteer-powered celebration of 25-lap racing hosted by the famed Highgate Harriers athletics club, the Night of the 10,000 PBs was established in 2013 with the twin goals of improving British racing standards and making 10,000m racing aspirational. To illustrate the significance of the event, it has incorporated the British Championships since 2014 when it was used as the trials for the European Championships. The Night of the 10,000 PBs was also used as the Team GB 2016 Rio Olympic trials and the 2017 London World Championship trials.
Race Director Ben Pochee: “Night of the 10,000m PBs was born from a desire to improve racing standards and spectator engagement has become central to the event’s success. It is for this reason why our 2018 partnership with Pro:Direct to create a pedestrian bridge is pivotal. True engagement means offering spectators the chance to see the racing unfold from multiple angles and improved atmosphere will further assist athlete PBs”..
2017 HIghgate Harrier Night of 10,000m PBs, video highlights
Pro:Direct Sport, whose brand mission is to Own Performance, is the UK’s largest online sports retailer, specialising in a number of sports including running. Driven by a passion for running, their sponsorship of the Night of the 10,000m PBs represents the next stage of their brand mission.
Details:
Website: http://www.nightofthe10kpbs.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Highgate10k/
Instagram: @NightOfThe10kPBs
Twitter: @NightOf10kPBs
2017 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HNRM9K9iwI
Date: Saturday 19th May 2018
Events: Nine 10,000m races + Inter London Borough Schools Relay Challenge
Time: Start time 1pm with Championship races from 7pm
Venue: Parliament Hill Athletics Track, NW5 1QR, London
Transport: Belsize Park Tube station or Gospel Oak Overground
Spectator cost: Entry 100% free
Race organiser: Ben Pochee (Highgate Harriers) ben@lgnwellbeing.com
