Written by Mike Norton:

As many as 15,000 people were running either a family race, a 10km around the Floating Harbour, Redcliffe and the city centre, or a half marathon - which includes a run up and back down the Portway which goes under the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

Langport's finest Adam Bevins, Spencer Chapman and myself were running in the half and Brian Jennings the 10k. I was using the half as a warm up for London and wanted to go around 10 to 10:30 minute miles and certainly no quicker. I had been a bit poorly in the week and so was hoping I would be OK. Spencer was also happy to go along with that pace.

I am glad I had my number posted to me as the queues for race numbers, bag drop and the toilets were horrendous. Fortunately a friend of mine who was supporting us worked around the corner and he had his keys to the office 🙏. Thank goodness as we used the loos and left our bags there. If not we would have missed the start time.

The start takes you away from Bristol on Redcliffe Road and then out along the Portway where you turn around at about 4 miles and run back along the Gorge to Bristol. Spencer was feeling a bit sick 😫 at 7 miles and stopped at the second aid station to sort himself out. I carried on at target pace. The race then takes you around Spike Island and back through the city centre going through Queens Square which was very dusty and around Cabot circus back towards the finish line at Millennium Square.

I was wondering how Spencer was on some of the turning points but couldn't see him. However the dirty rat 🐀 had been slip streaming me for about the last 4 miles and whizzed past me at the line for a photo finish victory ✌️ 😅. Oh how I laughed. Spencer will be dining out on that one for a long time.

Adam had a fantastic race just coming in over 1hr 30 mins. Spence and me just under 2.15 and Brian had a leisurely 10k running with a friend, around 1hr 10mins. Really enjoyed the day out, bring on London.