Five-times Olympian Jo Pavey says making her return to the Vitality London 10,000 will be emotional as she looks forward to a 2024 run with a difference.
The popular 10K, which takes in some of the most iconic landmarks in London, is less than seven weeks away, with entries filling up fast. You can enter here.Taking to the streets with the masses on Sunday 22 September will be three-times winner Pavey, who is the most successful female runner in the history of the Vitality London 10,000 (with victories in 2011, 2015 and 2017).
The event comes just over a month after the close of the Paris Olympics. Pavey competed in an incredible five Olympic Games herself, from 2000 to 2016 but since retiring from the sharp end of the sport she has enjoyed participating with a different mindset, doing so as part of a community which has breathed new life into her running in recent years.
Pavey joined Running at 40 Plus in January 2022 and said she has loved being involved with this community because of the friendly and supportive environment. The community, set up by Martin and Sally Hopkinson, welcomes everyone over the age of 40 and has an online community of more than 140,000 members who have regular social gatherings and events.
“There is so much about running that makes me happy and this community allows all those things to flourish,” she said. “I love this event and am thrilled to be doing it with Running at 40 Plus. I have been involved with them for a long time and the community is so inclusive. We can all have a bad day when we run, whether that is not setting the time we want or just not feeling our best, but we pick each other up. If you can put one foot in front of the other then you are a runner, and that is something to celebrate.
“I love that people can find running later in life and not be scared of the speed of others. It will be the first time we will be wearing the Running at 40 Plus vests, and we are thrilled that the Vitality London 10,000 is bringing the community to life.”
Those running the Vitality London 10,000 are doing so to celebrate what makes their running community so special. The theme of the popular 10K this year is championing the relationships we have made through running. And Pavey, who met her husband, Gavin, when she was 15 at Exeter Harriers, said she cannot wait to return to the streets of London and that “being with like-minded people, sharing our passions, and motivating each other when the going gets tough” reinforce the reasons she loves running.
“Without running I wouldn’t have met Gavin at Exeter Harriers,” she added. “We have been to championships and training camps around the world, got married, had kids and the running club was the centre point, under our coach Tony White.”
Pavey is still in touch with those from her professional running days and is also working with her husband, Gavin, to train the athletes of today and the future. And following the success of Team GB in Paris, whose total medal haul of 65 was only bettered by the USA and China, Pavey is hopeful the nation has been inspired to get active.
The five-time Olympian plans to put in some good training before the Vitality 10K and thinks that the Run Happy & Healthy 10 Weeks to 10K Training Plan will be great for runners who want to build up to the 10K. She added that her sub-33-minute 10Ks are behind her but said she has found other drivers.
“I’m over 50 so the days of PBs are gone,” laughed Pavey. “I have my targets but increasingly I do these things for my mental wellbeing and enjoyment. I have been able to strip back why I love it and pass it on to others, which is a great pleasure. I am now part of a community where I can inspire involvement.”
Martin Hopkinson added: “We take great pride in our community and Jo is a big part of that. We all love her and we are really excited to be part of a celebration at the Vitality London 10,000. Running brings us together and we love to get together and take on challenges like this.”
To join Pavey on the start line of the Vitality London 10,000 before it sells out, enter now.