In the London Borough of Bexley, on the ruins of the previous Foots Cray Place estate is now Foots Cray Meadows, 240 acres of parkland and woodland with the river Cray passing through it. Set up in 2006 the Friends of Foots Cray Meadows worked with the council to protect wildlife, plants and all other aspects of the conservation of Foots Cray Meadows. It’s a partnership that works as this public open space is an absolute haven of tranquillity and wonder. And since 21/07/18 it has also been home to another London parkrun.
Arriving early and walking through the meadows to the start, the sky was totally clear. 13 degrees, 56% humidity and no wind, it was a perfect May day.
We found the start and chatted to the volunteers and as went to the start line I saw it wasn’t a big field of runners, 41 to be precise. The run director talked us through the protocols and then we were off. With one chap in a red 50 milestone club t-shirt leading the charge.
They have two courses depending on the conditions. Today being dry and lovely we were on the regular course which is a dual loop of fields on the north side of the River Cray and lets you see the famous Five Arches Bridge and the All Saints Church as the course winds through the meadows.
As the field narrowed like an arrow I found myself in 4th position tucked in and not a million miles behind Mr 50 who was setting the pace.
After about 1k one of the people in our group slowed down leaving me and another chap chasing down Mr 50 who we were now reeling in. After 2k we went past him and I realised I was actually running within myself with this one person between me and a first finish!
I know parkrun is a run not a race but I’ve dreamt about finishing first, could this be that chance?
My Garmin watch beeped at 4k, the previous 1k being our slowest yet and I knew what I needed to do. The guy in front looked several age categories younger than me and I didn’t want to get into a sprint finish with him. I decided to up the pace to take the running out of him now. I pushed down and went past starting to pour it on, trying to establish a gap, I came across a marshal who pointed where I needed to go as I burst for home. My heart felt like it was about to explode my head was saying ‘do you need to do up your shoelaces’, is there a pothole you’re about to twist your ankle in’, ‘should you stop for a pee’. I had to keep yelling at myself to keep going, to focus on moving forward and not be distracted. With 200m I gave one last look behind me terrified a chasing pack was closing in but there was nobody there, no one on my shoulder, no pack hunting me down. I turned back, saw the finish line in the distance and ploughed ahead. With the finish line approaching my head started to process what was about to happen in slow motion and I had tears in my eyes. And then it happened, I went through the finish funnel. I was given the finish token and it said 001, I’d come first in my age category, first in my gender and first overall!
I’ve dreamt about this moment but never believed it would actually happen. The volunteers tried to talk to me but no words would come out I was shocked I was astonished, this was something else.
That evening we attended a wedding in our wardrobe bests. The shock had passed, the bride looked stunning and I danced my socks off in celebration. Doing the Electric Slide had never felt so sweet, so cool, so good. Thank you Foots Cray Meadows parkrun for delivering something beyond my wildest dreams.
Happy running
Lovely. I like it out at Foots Cray though we've only been once.
How wonderful and exciting!