So, I went to The Ten track meet this year, the 2024 one. Heard about it, saw some buzz online, and thought, why not? I like seeing fast running live, it’s just different than on a screen.
Decided pretty last minute, actually. Woke up Saturday, saw the weather was looking good, not too hot, not raining. That sealed the deal. Didn’t do much prep, just grabbed my usual jacket, made sure my phone was charged, you know the drill.
Getting there was okay. Left mid-morning. Hit a bit of traffic getting closer to the venue, but nothing too crazy. Finding a parking spot took a few minutes, had to circle around a bit, but managed to snag one not too far from the entrance. Paid the fee, walked over.
First thing I noticed was the crowd. Decent turnout. Lots of folks milling about, some serious track fans, you could tell. Found the entrance, got my ticket scanned, went inside. The track looked great, really nice facility. Found myself a spot up in the stands, pretty good view of the finish line and most of the track.
Watching the Races
Okay, the main event, the 10,000 meter races. That’s what The Ten is all about, right? It’s intense. Lap after lap after lap. You really see the pacing, the strategy. It’s not just about speed, it’s about endurance, mental toughness.
- The Pacing: They had those lights on the inside rail, showing the pace. Pretty cool tech, helps you see who’s on target.
- The Effort: Watching them up close, you see the strain, the focus. Especially in those later laps. Some runners looked smooth the whole way, others were really grinding it out. You gotta respect that level of effort.
- The Crowd: People got really into it, especially when someone made a move or during the last few laps. Lots of cheering. Good atmosphere.
Saw both the men’s and women’s main races. Incredible athletes. They make running incredibly fast look almost easy, but you know it’s anything but. There were a few moments where the pack broke up, or someone tried to surge. That’s always exciting to watch live.
Some Thoughts
It’s a long race, the 10k. Takes patience to watch, but it builds. You get invested in the runners. It’s not like watching a quick sprint. You see the whole story unfold over 25 laps.
It’s also pretty simple, right? Just running. No complicated rules, just who can cover the distance the fastest. There’s something pure about that.
The whole setup was pretty smooth. Easy to get around, find restrooms, grab a drink. They kept things moving between races pretty well.
Heading Home
Stayed through the main events. Once those big 10k races were done, the energy shifted a bit. Hung around for a little while longer, then decided to head out. The walk back to the car was nice, cool evening air.
Driving back was smooth, less traffic than going. Got home feeling like I’d seen something impressive. It’s just good to get out and watch live sports, especially something as fundamental as running. Glad I decided to go.
