10 runners met at the Parklangley Club on a warmish evening – certainly warmer than the previous several days now that the easterly winds were absent. John Soper had prepared a map of the course, which he had estimated as 5.5 miles through West Wickham and Beckenham, taking in such delights as the chip shop (not allowed to stop here!), the Skoda Garage, the Beacon medical centre (for anyone who’d pulled a muscle trying to keep up with Peter!), Beckenham High Street, Court Downs Road (for the hill training) and the Chinese roundabout before heading back to the Club, where John was waiting with his clipboard and his reliable timekeeper Ian.
After predicting their finish times, the runners took off their watches and set off in 2 groups, 5 minutes apart, to give the faster runners the opportunity to say, “Boo!” as they sped past the leading group. News of the “Naked Run” had obviously spread, as we met a group of topless young men running the opposite way around our course; at this point Bernie had to be reminded of the direction in which she should be running!
It was a strange feeling to be running without a timepiece and I found myself fruitlessly checking my wrist on more than one occasion. It appears that the consequence of this omission is that most of us run faster, as almost all came in under their predicted time. All agreed that it had been an enjoyable run, finished off with a welcome drink in the bar.
Congratulations to Pat who was the winner as her actual time was closest to her prediction.
Well done to all who took part and many thanks to John Soper who organised the run and to Ian Chapman who helped with the timing.