I didn't arrive at Eynsford quite as early as planned . . there was a car boot sale beside the M25 that held me up for ages (felt like 20 minutes) and I know I can't have been the only one . . so when I did get to Race HQ, almost everything was in place for the morning's event, and lots of people were already there, milling around pre-race, as we do . .

plenty of useful signs . . and still early enough to stroll from the car park to the school . .

can't have one of these without the other . .

and somebody has to join them up so we get our race times . .

there was plenty of room for warming up beforehand . .

and then it was almost 8.30, and everyone was lined up and raring to go . . and they went . .

last year I was at the top of the hill in the picture to the left, by the cars, and although I got some lovely photos I didn't win any popularity contests!! So this year I was a little braver and left the road, and found a peaceful place in the fields above Lullingstone Visitor Centre . . not that it remained peaceful for very long!

I didn't know it at the time, but the first runner through was celebrating his 20th birthday . . and what an excellent way to do that . . whilst almost the last people past me were the sweepers . .

which meant that the marshals, and I, could all make our way back to the village, and the finish . .

please use the buttons to the left - or below - to find the rest of my photos from this great 10k . .