Once all the runners had run across the meadow from the start, I picked up my ladder and gave chase. I wasn't sure how far I could get around the course, and didn't want to get too far away from the main avenue as I didn't want to miss anyone in the final kilometre . .

So I stood at the exit from the woods, just before the water station . . I knew I was taking a chance with the light, as the runners came out of the shade into the brightness of the hot summer's day we had, but thought I'd try it anyway . .

And the dappled light meant that I only have two pages of photos from this part of the course . . but don't worry, if you haven't looked yet, there are 23 pages of runners coming past the obelisk in the final kilometre . .