Run 5km and receive a breathable Kiprun T-Shirt, TENZING energy drink, a TREK energy bar, a medal and a £5 Decathlon voucher - £5 per person

5k is honestly not that difficult for someone with very minimal fitness. My tips would be

- Spend a bit of money on decent running trainers especially if you will be running on paved surfaces, these eliminate sort joints next day.

- Sign up for the OS Maps free trial and look for good running routes in your area.

- Take it slowly to start with, as long as you stay jogging rather than walking you're doing great. Cardiovascular stamina builds quickly so you will quickly progress.

- Get some sports headphones and listen to your favourite music or podcasts.

- As you progress and start to build up some sweat invest in some wristbands and a sports tshirt to wick sweat away and keep you more comfortable.

There are also resources like couch to 5k if you are currently very unfit which break it down a bit more but honestly, most people could do a 5k tomorrow if they believed in themselves. Go along to a park run and you will see 6 years olds doing it no problem.

Have you actually looked at the routes?  They don’t go around the Decathlon stores.  The one local to me doesn’t even go within a mile or two of it - it’s in a local park.

Yes. No-one is running 5k and I doubt Decathlon are going to be expecting records to be broken.

Go into Decathlon, try the cheapest pair on. If they feel comfortable, no pressure points or narrow spots - buy them. If they don't feel quite right, move up to the next most expensive pair and repeat.
I've just counted and I've got 14 pairs of shoes in the rotation currently. About 8 of those pairs are Decathlon, and some of the others are niche trail shoes for different types of terrain. I've run silly mileage in the various pairs and all have lasted well, and I've run multiple ultras in £30-35 Decathlon shoes. Don't get me wrong, if I'm negotiating Sharp Edge in pissing rain - I'm getting my La Sportivas out. But for roads and light trail use, Decathlon shoes hold up really well.

Alternatively get down to a Nike outlet or similar, and try the same approach. Or anywhere.

But don't roll the dice on shoes that might work for someone else but not you. Get into a shop and try some on. Even if you have the most middle of the road, Phil Collins of feet - sizing can vary between manufacturers and sometimes models. Half a thumbs width between your big toe and the end btw, with you heel pushed back into the heel cup is what you're aiming for length wise btw.

is it a real marathon tho?!!

Hate to break it to you, 30s is not old

Diabetes

Plenty of parkrun locations around the UK.

Get diabetes instead, that'll show em!

I've also signed up for Canada water.

Since we are always looking for shortcuts, can't you skip the middle man and just buy yourself a medal?

You could run around the festivals and do both 😄

They've clearly been inspired by Parkrun, but their website is surprisingly vague as to what's actually involved. It seems to be 2 hours of organised play in a park- kicking a ball about or throwing frisbees. It's supposed to be for everyone, but I'd feel a bit odd turning up for that by myself TBH, unlike Parkrun.

park-play.com/

This comment hurt my head, it's a 5k buddy

Braehead, Renfrewshire