a. He didn't want to spoil the symmetry of twelve folk starting the Dozen.
b. For superstitious reasons he wanted to avoid there being thirteen starters.
c. It was the result of the running equivalent of the young bachelor coming to work from a different direction every day.
d. None of these.
The twelve starters were:-
From the left:- FSS, the Kavanagh Twins, TM, Paul S, NLN, Mark, EL (Ed's Lass), Bernie, EtU, YJ, KLM and last, but definitely not least, the eponymous JtE. John, didn't run (see later) but instead generously opted to provide top rate road support and refreshments From the whole squad - Thank You Very Much, John, you put the icing on the cake of an already promising day.
Of these twelve, I reckon eight were old hands, and four were debutantes, not a bad mix. Just a shame that other than Horwich, Chorley, Bowland and SELOC (or should that be WHO? [sorry, private joke, perhaps KLM will explain]) no other local club was represented, despite at least two having been invited.
I'll not bore you with a step by step account, but suffice to say that after Noon Hill, when we re-grouped and were joined by TYC, we fell into the usual fast, middle and (very) slow groups and we made our various ways to Hordern Stoops, where there was an element of regrouping. YJ and I were last to arrive, just behind the Twins, and we found Paul, Mark and NLN waiting for us, already enjoying the contents of the boot of John's car. Bernie and EL had already left for home, via the mast road as EL had a lunch date with her three sisters and more of her kin. FSS and TM had sprinted through and KLM and TYC had (I think) already left for home and other adventures later in the day.
Paul and Mark (debutante's, you'll remember) were waiting for someone to point them towards Old Adam's Hill, and NLN led them off to point the way. The Twins turned for home and then YJ and I continued on the route several minutes behind Paul and Mark.
From that point on I continued to slow down, and YJ stayed with me, more avuncular style than that of an elderly brother.
We tried a new route from Round Loaf to Healey Nab, going via Jepson's gate, but this seemed to add not only distance, as expected, but also time. John was waiting at Waterman's Cottage, and after feeding us, went back to the Barn to see folk in in.
After Healey Nab we were met again by John, this on foot, he having run out to meet us, We three most senior members of the cavalcade stumbled along to the finish, with the two Johns finally agreeing to leave me with about a mile to go, so they could at least finish in style. I was last in, in 6:36 to which I notionally add another 5 minutes penalty for by-passing Counting Hill.
So, another PW to add to my growing collection, but an otherwise great day out, I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did, with, hopefully, a little less pain.
Once again, thank you JtE, and also thank you to YJ for ongoing support throughout.
Please, if you have anything to add to the above, by way of correction, additional information or comment, do so, either by email to me (edswift@btinternet.com) or by the comment facility on this blog.
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