My First Time Race Directing - Pegasus Ultra Running The VOGUM and Cosmeston Lakes parkrun

To help address the challenge of equalising the number of men and women in ultra running then the awesome Pegasus Ultra Running are particularly forward thinking. Pegasus want to have a female race director at each of their ultras this year, and so have invited a different female ultra runner to race direct each of their races. I had the honour of race directing the VOGUM. This involved a personal phone call to each of the runners before the race, a super early morning to make sure everything was ready for runners to arrive from 5am, the race briefing and then the best bit which was cheering every runner in over the line. Pegasus don't have cut offs at their races, they really want you to succeed so if you can do it, then they will help you to do it.
After setting ~200 runners off on the beach then we headed to Penarth to set up the finish area. On my way there was time to get in a quick parkrun so I headed to Cosmeston Lakes parkrun which was less than 2 miles from the finish! It was an absolutely stunning course and the icing on the cake was seeing some wonderful running friends there too. There was time for a short parkfaff before setting up the finish and getting ready to hang a well deserved medal around the neck of the first finisher. Everyone who took on those 40 miles had a story to tell and we welcomed runners in for the next 11 hours until we packed up the kit at around midnight after the final runners and the tails had come over that line.
It was great to get to see another of South Wales' beautiful parkruns and an absolute honour to meet the very lovely James and Lyn on the team, as well as the rest of the volunteers. parkrunworld never ceases to amaze me in terms of the places it takes us and the awesome people we get to meet along the way.
What an incredible, magical, and very tiring day! This video tells the story of the day but my focus was very much on race directing rather than video production. Hopefully it gives a good flavour of what was involved.
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Happy running,
Nicola :)
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pegasusultrarunning.com/
pegasusultrarunning.com/the-v...

[@richardbuck1729]

A personal phone call to each runner before the race? That's serious dedication right there, with over 200 starters that must have taken you days 😮 With all the efforts on the day as well I'm sure they all felt super loved ❤

[@NicolaRuns]

Yup... It was over 3 days. It's such a lovely touch and you can hear how much of a difference it makes to the runners 🥰

[@mattgarner2414]

And really lovely to see Stu and Drew.

[@NicolaRuns]

Aren't they just lovely ❤️ And Liz ❤️❤️❤️

[@andytink9957]

What a beautiful parkrun, I so love running through wooded areas.

[@NicolaRuns]

Same 😍😍😍

[@emmarunyeard6832]

Thankyouuuu Nic, I looked into Pegasus and I am awed by their ethos ❤ I have just entered The Howum for next may... A nice prequel for race to the stones 🎉

[@NicolaRuns]

Sorry only just seen this! You did keep me updated and I'm super excited! 🎉😃

[@chilloutvibesforyou]

Awesome! I live in Australia, but being 43% Welsh it's a glimpse of my history!!!

[@NicolaRuns]

Welsh people are just so super friendly. I adore being in Wales 😃

[@mattgarner2414]

Such wonderful enthusiasm 🤩

[@NicolaRuns]

This was such a long but such an incredibly awesome day 🥰🥰🥰

[@geoffh2560]

What an amazing day, thanks for the video!

[@NicolaRuns]

One of the most rewarding and tiring days of my life I reckon 🤣 I've a whole new level of respect for race directors now! 🙌🏻

[@eddiegaul1903]

Wow what a day. Pretty amazing how early the sun came up for you. Here, it comes up around 5.45 AM. Sunset is around 9.30 PM. That park run looked really pretty. Would've loved to have seen the medieval village. On the ultra, how much of it was on sand? Also, in the States I've seen a product called Shower in a Bag. I have to try it but you may want to see if they have them in the UK. Apparently they are a waterless shower that actually work. Anyhow, great content as usual. I always love seeing your running adventures!

[@NicolaRuns]

How on earth does a waterless shower work?!?!?! 🤯 I'd have loved time to look at the medieval village but needed to have breakfast and get on my way... Next time though 😃 It's a relatively small proportion on sand but it's enough to get a whole load of sand in your shoes! 🙈🤣

[@Gez-C]

Looks amazing! I’m doing the Ridum in September and looking forward to it

[@NicolaRuns]

Ooh I'm excited for you! 😃 Good luck, it'll be September before we know it! I'm not sure how it's July already?! 😳

[@emmarunyeard6832]

I will look into Pegasus, I spend a lot of time in Wales so YESSS x

[@NicolaRuns]

Ooh this is exciting! Keep me posted 😃

[@emmarunyeard6832]

Love Wales x

[@NicolaRuns]

Me too! ❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

[@gypsymuffinABZ]

Great video Nicola. That looks a lovely parkrun! Those pesky raccoons! 😂

[@NicolaRuns]

I know right?! I wasn't sure what sort of animal control to call to deal with the Cosmeston Lakes raccoon?! 🦝 I missed my chips though! 😭😂

[@richsullivan1950]

What a great experience to be a run director - cracking job done well - Pegasus chose wisely. I thought raccoons only ate plain chips, not cheesy chips Must be the Welsh raccoons, although they are a rare bit

[@NicolaRuns]

@@richsullivan1950 this made me smile and then laugh 🤣 what an awesome comment. Thank you 🤗🤗🤗

[@emmarunyeard6832]

Ooo is the ultra an annual event, I like the sound of it x

[@NicolaRuns]

It certainly is! 🤗

[@richsullivan1950]

Fantastic job directing Nicola - Pegasus made a great choice. I thought racoons only like plain chips, not cheesy ones? Must be a Welsh rare bit 🤣

[@NicolaRuns]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 This racoon LOVES cheesy chips 😜😂 Thanks re. Pegasus ❤️ It was a fantastic day 😃

[@bren70ssss94]

Well done , that was very excitement 😁 you are hilar , well you know the rest 😉

[@NicolaRuns]

Lol... What an idiot I am! I need my sleep 🙈🤦🏻‍♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@fionac1089]

What a brilliant thing to do! It was great to see you at Endure at the weekend, will you be running it next year?

[@NicolaRuns]

🤗🤗🤗 I'm not sure... I'm in discussions with Eleanor as to whether we'll try to reclaim our female pairs record... 🤔😳😃

[@dannynorman4717]

Dolly buff!

[@NicolaRuns]

Indeed! You must visit! 😃