Interview with Cardiff 10k race director
Graham Findlayson (pictured middle) has been the race director of the Cardiff 10k for 30 years.We caught up with him after the 30th edition on Sunday.
Congratulations on a highly successful 30th edition of the Cardiff 10k, which also incorporated the 4th round of the runbritain Grand Prix. Did this bring any additional expectations?
Yes – it boosted the race a lot. It’s good to have the elite runners in Cardiff! People think we’re miles away but we’re no further from Birmingham than London is. These people have seen Cardiff now and I spoke to many of the runners after the race and they were all really pleased with the race and with theiir times. There were a lot of personal bests!
What kind of runners do you normally target?
We share the same market as practically every race in GB. Without fun runners we can’t put on these events but we need club runners to race each other. In my day, I did 51 minutes for 10 miles and would be 48th in the race but that now is almost international standard! Sunday’s race was won in 29:12 and the top six were all under 30 minutes and that’s what we need – opportunities for good runners to post fast times. The runners really appreciated it too. Kojo Kyereme, who finished 3rd told me that he thought the race was fantastic and that gives you everything as a race director!
You've been the Race Director for all 30 editions. Who are the other team members that you have had with you?
Bernie Plain MBE started the race with the charity, Kidney Wales, approaching him and he is still working with me. Alex Donald has been with us for the last six years.
You clearly have staying-power! What else does it say about you?
I’m knackered! I just get a buzz out of it. I’m only putting in what I took out - running for Cardiff on the European circuit and I love watching people comimg over the line, doing pbs or simply crossing the line and finishing!
What do you do for the rest of the year?
Race Director of other races! I’ve been the race director of the British Athletics Cross Challenge for 17 years and being ex-military, I organise the 5k series, in May, June and July, for the oldest national military charity, SSAFA (which is 135 year old).
How has the race changed over the years?
It’s always been a good course. We used to finish in the Millennium stadium but the risk assessment and costs became too dear so we moved out but it’s getting dear now even just to run through the park.
Can you describe the atmosphere at the race?
Yes. If you look on facebook, you’ll see we have live bands on the City Hall Lawns. People are lying around, dancing around, having a great day out and this really lifts the runners who then join them after the race.
What’s the hardest thing you have to do?
Getting up in the morning is hard! It’s getting hard to bring in volunteers to help. People think you earn big money but Kidney Wales and SSAFA are close to my heart. I don’t run it as a business I run it for the love of the sport.
Who has provided the most memorable performance?
Paul Taylor from Border Harriers. In the 1996 race, Paul Taylor came into the stadium, at the finish, with two Kenyans and everyone jumped up and shouted for Paul. He was the fastest Brit to run the course in 28:40. He said, “Graham, I know what it’s like to be Welsh because without those crowds cheering me in I wouldn’t have won that race!”
Have there been any other close finishes?
We had quite a few with Kenyans but 1996 was my most exciting finish. The finish now is a dead straight finish on a red road. This year was good with Dewi and John. Jon Hopkins won it last year and ran it for a friend that died. We used the picture of him finishing on the poster this year.
What's the strangest request you've ever had from a runner?
I don’t know about strange request but the request that I don’t like is from people wanting to push a child in a push chair. We don’t stop them but I woudn’t like to push a child round because I worry for the child. I won’t let people run with dogs because I also think that is dangerous. Oh – and I also get people wanting to change their number if they think it’s unlucky!
What would you change about running in today's climate?
I would like to see the council support events to help us to keep the prices down. People say, “you’re ripping us off” but they don’t realise the cost with road closures, medals, t shirts etc. The government want to keep people running and they’re supporting parkruns but not so much us.
What's the best advice you've ever been given?
First Aid. I worry that something will happen to us but St. John’s are always there and do a good job.
What advice would you give a novice race director who is just starting out?
It would be good for race directors to have a mentoring programme – for novice race directors to shadow more experienced ones, for a certain length of time, before they actually put on a race. We need to protect the runners that are participating in our races.