The Slowness of the Long Distance Sweeper Vehicle

Ilkley Half Marathon today. Caught an early bus into Ilkley before the roads closed and went down to the starting point.
Son in Law Mike is one of the main organisers and the same as two years ago was in charge of the water stations.
Did feel a bit weepy on arrival as Mr P had driven a follow through van at the last race and l was helping him. Can still remember him vaulting over stone walls to retrieve discarded water bottles thrown away by runners into the fields.
This year l was in the mini bus driven by Rebecca to pick up any runners who had dropped out for different reasons.
A staggered start with runners setting off in groups of thirty, due to Covid,  so all competitors running to chip time ( micro chip in their shoe) instead of gun time. The start took ages…..
We followed the last runner - let me correct that: walker, as she never ran one step, we kept about 100 metres behind and Rebecca drove in first gear for over thirteen miles, for over four hours, her knees were literally trembling!
But we’ll done to the lady, this was her 90th race so she must be able to have the mindset to have the pressure of seeing all the build up of traffic at closed roads and feel the presence of the traffic hold up behind her.
 
I am now home, the race was a success and it was awarded 5stars from the athletics association for being well run and complying to all safety regulations. Only a few casualties, dehydration, panic attacks, twisted ankles etc as far as l know, always a relief as some people run with out proper preparation, it was a hot muggy day but a quick cloudburst at the start of the race probably did a favour to the runners.

Home now and getting ready to go over to Tim’s for the final, not feeling overconfident about the outcome but hope it’s a good match that leaves us proud whatever the result.

Thanks for the lovely response to yesterday , appreciate it so much x