Given that I'm unlikely to be in Rio in 2016 this was not only the first time I'd ever attended an Olympic event, it's also likely to be the last time for some time . . and what a brilliant day out it was . .

It was a pleasant summer morning when I left Aylesbury to make my way into London, but when I emerged from the Tube at Mansion House, it was not a nice day at all. I found the friends I was going to watch with, mostly fellow parkrunners, and we sheltered under the polythene sheets that one guy had brought with him. Friends like Ralph here earned gold medals for holding the shelter up . . and others found wifi signals for their i-pads and we stood in our bubble and watched the start of the Olympic marathon for Women . .

. . and soon after 20 past 11 the helicopters got louder . . and the crowd beyond us started cheering . . and the Marathon cavalcade came towards us for the first time . .

. . never mind water ahead . . there seemed to be gallons of it everywhere . .

. . not that it bothered everybody . . but those of us who were braving the elements weren't bothered . .

 . . more parkrun friends . .

 . . colourful crowds . .

. . eventually, sunshine . .

. . although not for long . .

. . and everywhere you looked, something spectacular to see . .