Bedford Harriers A.C.


 

 

 

 

Last Friday 5k
30th May 2008

Race Photos :  Race Photos-Justin's

 

Official Results

Warm, muggy, and polluted….but enough about the ale, here's the race report. Once again , we found ourselves in the picturesque Hyde Park , the setting for the monthly 5km race organised by the Serpentine Running Club. Our numbers were swelled by the addition of Adam, who was competing in his first Hyde Park 5km. We arrived in good time, only to discover, that being Half Term, the park was rather busy, and that also, there was substantial gardening work in progress around the course. The air quality today was very poor, hazy, & humid and close….infact it was so close, it was almost touching. Joe warmed up by chasing some horses down Rotten Row with his camera, whilst Keith did his one knee stretch, and Adam skipped to the loo. We met up with the rocket scientist Alan S, only to be told later by a work colleague that he was the teaboy ! The race started, and once again there seemed to be quite a fast start. Adam set off in front of me , and I kept him in sight as we twisted and turned around the course. I really struggled today with the humidity and struggled with my breathing and found myself labouring later on. As with all 5kms, its eyeballs out, but having done this 5 times now (including today), I don't think it’s a particularly fast course, due to all the sharp turns, and human traffic. Adam clocked in at 18.45 (his time) and was first Harrier home, followed by myself, Alan, Joe and bringing up the rear , keith. We all agreed afterwards that we found it difficult in the uncomfortable and oppressing heat. After the race we headed over to Tower Bridge to look at a recently installed telescope that can supposedly see direct to New York. By the Tower Of London, I spotted an original, brick, circular building that I could recall had particular significance and historical merit. Having drawn everyone's attention to it, I couldn't for the life of me remember what the significance was , or what the stupid thing was used for. Like we tend to do in all such situations, we adjourned to the nearest pub. After our refuel we walked along the riverside taking in the telescope, and all the sights. Bringing some culture to proceedings, I suggested we visited the Tate Modern. After all it was nearby , free, and er….it was my round. We spent all of 6 minutes in the Tate, Adam was bemused , Keith amused, and Joe abused. Joe rather cruelly pointed out that I was dragging my heals as it was my round ! So once again, we went in search of bounty and ended up in the Slug & Lettuce. Which Adam promised me was a cheap establishment, but I can assure him was not ! The day was ended, with us sitting on a broken down First Capital Connect Train at Blackfriars for 25 minutes, before we lost patience and headed over to St. Pancras instead. On the cycle ride home from the station, I discovered a man trying to transport a micro wave oven on the crossbar of his bike….and I couldn't help thinking , `yes Britain really does have talent` !

Justin Openshaw

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