352/365 Christmas lights and biblical rain 5K by Big Kev

352/365 Christmas lights and biblical rain 5K by Big Kev

Great Western Runners celebrate Christmas in their own special way. We do this by taking the whole club on a group run in search of the Christmas lights and decorations in Bristol. On any normal Wednesday evening in December, this would involve a jaunt into the centre of Bristol and of late, a tour around Cabot Circus to scare the shoppers. However not tonight! The weather conditions dictated that we adjust our route for safety reasons. Mike Wilcox, our club chairman, asked if I would lead the group into Clifton Village as the wind and rain required a shorter, safer alternative.

Now this task on any other club night run would be a breeze (no pun intended), however as our Christmas lights run normally includes a fair amount of fancy dress and runners of all abilities, it normally requires a little bit more thought.

With only my wits about me and a lot of people not paying a much attention, I set off out into the maelstrom. After only five strides into our run I was just about soaked to the skin as the rain seemed to be of a horizontal nature and the wind, gale force. This was as good as it got. We progressed along my hastily constructed route whilst watching out for puddles, fallen branches and pedestrians with either inverted umbrellas or hoods covering their faces for shelter.

Then we reached Clifton Village and finally the Christmas Lights. At this point, it would normally be a festive wonder, again not tonight. The weather had finally got bored of teasing us and cranked up all of the elemental forces to 10!

At one point, all of the roads were a wash and the rain stung the skin. I overheard someone saying in a sarcastic voice, "it's only a bit of rain", my retort was "Yes! Of biblical proportions!"

We finally reached the club house and could at least get warm and showered. Christmas lights run, done.

The run was then followed by our club quiz and supper, along with many well wishers and some amazing sponsorship. A particular mention has to go out to Michelle and Steve, Declan for his cold hard cash and Cat for braking the 'Kev pot', which involved and counting out £200 in £2 coins. You are all incredible, thank you so much. Add this to yesterday's sponsors and we have pushed through the £2,000 mark.

www.justgiving.com/kevin-caple

Big Kev

13 days to go