As I made my way round the reservoir I saw a few more of the volunteers . .

. . and as I got close to the finish met some runners coming back towards me who had already completed their 2¾ laps . .

. . having already been here twice during the race, the runners would know that once they got onto this short straight bit they could see the finish ahead of them . . and once past the 13 mile marker they just had to turn the final corner and there was the finish line . . although I daresay that the "short straight bit" didn't seem quite so short third time around!

. . and at the finish area the guys from Galeforce Events were hard at work processing the results . . there was help to remove those timing chips . . and there were goody bags . . there was water . . and there were milk shakes . .

. . whilst if you needed some repairs to your legs, Alison was on hand right beside the finish funnel . .

. . there was a quick presentation . . here's Ashley, the winning man, and Vicki, the speedy nurse . .

. . the finish . . where you can catch up with the special people you left behind . . and where you realise that you have enjoyed it after all . .