I began this morning bright and early, at 8 o'clock, with the registration crew at Race HQ . .

and looking around, discovered that the finish was to be in a different location because of the building works taking place at the football club . . and to be honest, I figured I'd rather not spend 3 or 4 hours taking photos in that alley, which is why this year I was at the bottom of the hill . .

before the event was to start, I made my way up to the top, and waited for you all to join me . . as usual it was beautiful up on the Downs and you had the feeling that you could almost see for ever . .

and as soon as you'd gone by, I whizzed across to the point where the half split from the two longer distances. I must apologise here, because so many of you were so busy smiling at me that you missed the sign telling you to turn left . . I did call out to everybody to turn left if they were in the half, but I know that not everyone heard me . . I'll find somewhere else next year . .

 

finally, instead of the finish, as you now know I waited for you at the bottom of the Downs, on your way back towards the finish . . again, I must apologise to those who came by after 2.30, as I'd had to go . . not only because I couldn't keep my legs crossed for a moment more . . but also because I had to see somebody special in the Cotswolds at 4pm . . and I just made it . .

and of course, whilst waiting for you to come along, there are plenty of other things to photograph . .