Inside the Village Hall there was lots going on, especially as race numbers had to be collected on the morning of the race . . but there were plenty of smiling volunteers there to find your number for you, and you could spend money on refreshments, kit, or both . .

there was a fraught Race Director, who needn't have been fraught at all, but I think it comes with the job description . .

and loads of room behind the Hall to relax before the race began . .

plenty of room in this tent for your kit . . Raynet more than made up for the fact that one thing Croxton seems to lack is a mobile phone signal . . the good people from St John's get in a pre-race huddle . . and round the corner the drinks are prepared, ready to hand to the runners after they cross the finish line . .

meanwhile, cars were directed to the car park, which was only a short walk away from the Hall . .

and as race time of 11am approached, people began to use the slope outside the Hall to warm up, and then gradually made their way up towards the Church to get behind the start line . .