Short drive to Victoria Park and set out our stall as per usual. Absolutely beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky.
Race preparations - look at that sky!!
Not many runners booked in today but it may be good for Andy to run alone, after all it's just about the only time he gets to himself!
For me, it is going to be admin catch up day to get up to date with blogs, paperwork and filing, and of course planning for dinner tonight.
Andy still manages the pre start photo sessions with a smile on his face - God knows what he really must be thinking when the photographer says "Just run towards me and smile, please" when every bone and muscle in his body must be hurting.
Photo session nearly over and ready for the start
Today's race consists of 20 laps of a 5k circuit, nearly all of which is on tarmac / hard surface - let's hope it's not too punishing.
After the welcome and pep talk from the Lord Mayor and Andy was off, running very well and looking good.
The Lord Mayor and his pre race pep talk!
His lap times surprised us a little and we were tempted to tell him to slow the pace but he seemed happy enough and obviously knew what he was doing . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . and this resulted in his fastest time to date 6hrs 21mins Well Done Andy!!
Whilst Andy was running, I noticed a large group of school children running in a marked out area in a very organised indian file fashion some distance away from out HQ. Further investigation revealed that they were pupils from Stoneygate College in Leicester and this was the final part of their own challenge to run 125 kilometres to celebrate the schools 125th year. The headmaster was intrigued to hear of our challenge and asked me to talk to the children and tell them about it. Andy arrived on the scene within a few minutes and in his own inimitable style, immediately engaged with the staff and children alike.
Andy surrounded by his crowd of admirers:
Pupils from Stoneygate College
Today's marathon finished, we departed for Peterborough, stopping only to collect fuel en route.
We arrived at TA Centre, Peterborough at about 7pm and Barry and I proceeded to check out the venue and access the next day at Ferry Meadows.
That done, we returned to the RV and after home (RV) cooked pasta and meat sauce, retired for an early evening - Barry and Colin in the RV and the rest of us in TA accomodation (sofas).
A very Good day today!!!
Benji's Blog
Hi Benji
I am in another city today called Leicester.
Uncle Andy is running in a park near the University - you remember, that is like a very big school.
The weather is very nice and I think that I will have to buy a hat!!
Did you see the picture of all the children with Uncle Andy? Mummy will tell you what it's all about.
I know that you are missing me and I am missing you very, very much. But this is very special what Uncle Andy is doing and will help a lot of poorly people.
I love you, little man.
God Bless You and keep you safe
Lots of love
Daddy
XXXXXX
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