1700 Santas in the Woods

Well just a few of the 1700 heading up the steep hill whilst I took a breather at the top to blip them.  WilsdenWalker and I had a fun morning, despite the 'collect your ticket' machine not functioning at the station.  We smiled sweetly at the conductor and wished him a Merry Christmas and he let us off, as did the chap at Skipton station who directed us to their machine, which was working.

Then it was loo stop at the supermarket en route to the high street where santas were arriving from every direction.  The warm up personal trainer drowned out the Rotary President who was giving his welcome but then we were off down the high street and towards the canal crossing.  It was heartening to see LOTS of youngsters taking part but they do have a habit of belting off at 80 mph and then suddenly stopping in front of you!  Thankfully, by the time we reached the top of the park, they had dropped off behind us and we could keep jogging on around the 5km course unhindered.  It was hot in our santa suits and I was just musing aloud about how folks dressed as rhinoceroses can run marathons when a reindeer went speeding by, high five to that woman!

I just about managed to hang on to S's pace and we crossed the line together, picked up our medals, took a selfie at the finish line and went to find a coffee before the hundreds of competitors, supporters and folks coming to see the light being switched on decided a cuppa was a good idea too.

The train was in when we reached the station so a quick sprint and we were safely onboard, only to find out as it gathered speed that it wasn't stopping at our station.  We smiled sweetly at the conductor and wished him Merry Christmas and he said we could get off at the next station without paying the extra.  We walked back along the main road from Bingley to the accompaniment of horn toots and waves, a lovely end to a smashing morning.   Thank you to WilsdenWalker for the excellent company, no doubt she will also be posting a Santa Run blip at some point.

Jigsaw #4 completed:  Ravensburger The Cosy Shed