RUNNER Ada McMahon got a shock when she discovered the Colchester Zoo 10k Stampede was taking place on Sunday.
The 50-year-old, from Frinton, entered last year but put it to the back of her mind when it was cancelled because of Covid.
She then discovered the new date a week beforehand and decided to take part - despite barely any training.
Medical doctor Ada, a member of Frinton Running Club, said: "I only realised a week before the race when I received a reminder email. I hadn’t been training!
"I only decided to go ahead with it because a few of my friends from the running club were doing it.
Loving the experience - Ada McMahon enjoyed running in a race again
"It was good to be out doing races again.
"I used to run three times a week to keep fit and race about once a month, pre-Covid."
Nearly 1,500 runners laced up their shoes for Sunday’s event, which started and finished at the Maldon Road zoo.
Watched by elephants, zebras, rhinos and giraffes, runners started in waves to adhere to social-distancing guidelines issued by RunBritain and UK Sport.
"The atmosphere on the day was great, although I nearly missed the start of my wave," added mum-of-two Ada.
"I was stuck in a long line of traffic coming into the event village.
We did it - Tony Severin, Jason Knights and Sharon Harrington, from Frinton Running Club
"I wasn’t aiming for a personal best and didn’t get one.
"I completed it in one hour and two minutes due to a mix of running and walking the hilly bits.
"But I loved it and even the rain at the end was awesome.
"I can’t wait to do it again - this time aiming for sub-53 minutes."
Ada was joined by fellow Frinton runners Tony Severin, Jason Knights, Stephanie Gardener, Mari Berncastle, Sharon Harrington and Nicola Hurrell.
The Colchester Stampede Half Marathon is taking place on October 10.
Clubmates - Frinton Running Club's Stephanie Gardener, Mari Berncastle, Sharon Harrington, Tony Severin, Jason Knights and Nicola Hurrell
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