Andy P was (and probably is still) running the Extreme Running London to Brighton event today. Cliff had suggested that we run a section with him to boost his spirits so we went to find him in the largely unexplored territory beyond Forest Row… in fact we only narrowly missed leaving the county of Sussex, that’s how far north we were.
We were hampered in our quest to find Andy by the fact that we didn’t know the route the race was following. This led to an interesting tour of narrow, only vaguely metalled roads and a short stand off with a 4×4 with a wood trailer attached… eventually the guy reversed the few necessary metres, albeit with surprising difficulty! Cliff was not about to reverse as the next passing place was about a quarter of a mile away!
We eventually found Andy who was running with Daniel from Jersey, which meant that I could put in a plug for Gemma at Orchard Chiropractors in St Helier!
Bearing in mind they had got lost early on and were six hours in, they looked to be moving pretty well.
We ran with them for a short while, during which time they paused several times to discuss the direction and eventually went the wrong way (yet?) again, but they were clearly not alone in this. Various other runners caught up and then scattered in different directions… most of them incorrect too in retrospect!
After half an hour we left them turned & headed back to Cliff’s car… an easy 15 minute run when you know where you’re going!
So a very temporary support crew but it’s the thought that counts! Thank goodness for Paula doing the proper job… otherwise Andy’s crates of spare gear & dry trainers would never have made it! I’m still thinking of him even now and he’s probably still counting down the miles to Brighton!
Our run was about 3.5 miles in 50 minutes… time well spent though!