Pies, peas and a pint, the reward for completing 5 laps of Redcar’s beautiful Locke Park.

Friendly marshalls from Marske Harriers welcome you in. The event starts with a children’s fun run. Parents watch and encourage their youngsters around the course. Runners huddle in groups sporting their clubs logos. 3 Fairfield Harriers, Ged, Anne and Tracey look like the famous lemon top ice creams in their tribal shirts.

We share stories of injuries and ailments then we shuffle to the start line. The Sun shines and the sky is blue on a lovely Spring evening. Then suddenly we are off. Tracey and I run together united in our desire to complete despite our bodies screaming this is a bad idea. Ged races effortlessly  ahead.

The run is 5 one mile laps. Do not imagine geometric ovals, a lap is a meandering snake which weaves itself around lakes and over bridges. Helpful marshalls keep us on track. There are runners everywhere on this maze trusting they will eventually find the way out.

We chat as we run and try and remember how many laps we have done. Fun banter abounds between runner and Marshall’s. Super fit athletes lap us on the right. We run on pushing our limbs forward. Hips, knees, joints remind us of their existence.

Then finally relief and a smile as we cross the finish line. Fellow runners congratulate each other on completion. Then its off to the cricket club for a traditional North East supper and a chat with fellow runners.

~ by Anne Bulmer