Festive parkrun marshalling with Santa minus his RAIN-deer.

Up and out early, I did a festive jog down to Sloughbottom Park in my favourite Penguin christmas jumper (WITH flashing lights!!), carrying a precious Yuletide delivery of mini mince pies for the Slow-bum parkrun crew. After all the heavy rain of late, it was actually a lovely, dry morning and I was lucky to catch the Winter sun rising over the River Wensum by the Dolphin Bridge.

I arrived at the pavillion heavily populated with runners in Christmassy attire, Santa hats being a clear favourite. Katie asked me to marshal up at Anderson's Meadow with Andy, pointing over to a gentleman in full Mr Claus outfit complete with white beard, my marshal-partner-in-crime. So I set off with Father Christmas, arrows, mark-out cones and runner signs to the meadow, as it was about a mile away, and then this was the point when the heavens opened to give us a proper good soaking for about 20 minutes. The course was now even soggier, just adding a bit more to the splash-mud fest!! :0) Wildlife watch this week included a mammal - a huge rat crossed in front of me looking for shelter in the bushes from the rain.

The front runner was soon upon my marshal point followed by a steady trickle of people which included some superbly decorated buggies that put my decorating efforts in my front room to shame! ;0)

Lots of "Merry Christmas-es", no dramas, 163 runners through safely and the sun came back out for the stroll back to HQ.

Merry Christmas everyone - wishing you all happiness, health and fun for 2020!