If you go down in Petts Wood today...

Or rather Sunday. What a wonderful race! Eleven GoodGym runners (and Sean's sister) took on this scenic, (really rather) undulating and friendly 10k race in perfect October conditions, smashing hoped-for times, helping each other along and even grabbing first ever medals!

The weather couldn't have been much better for our first Lewisham-on-Tour race - we really were SE let loose, faces pressed up against the glass, taking in the pristineness of this leafy suburb! Of course, the trains were mashed up, after I went on and on for months about how easy it is to get there (it normally is, honest), so we arrived from various directions and by varying modes of transport (thank you to those who shared lifts, you stars!), with Danica winning the prize for the furthest travelled.

This race is organised by local club Petts Wood Runners and, as this was the tenth year, the atmosphere was even more celebratory, with not one, but three gorillas mingling with the crowds and posing for furry selfies (no, we haven't got a clue why there are gorillas either, but let's just go with this). We were swiftly handed race numbers and bag labels (which I promptly lost, like I've not done this before) and pinned them on to our red GoodGym t-shirts, wondering if it was too early to bare our arms, brrrrr.

Once we were all together and looking race-ready, we grabbed a friendly Lewisham/Hilly Fields runner Kemi to take a quick group shot (look at that blue sky!) before joining in a bit of a warm-up. I don't normally do the 'official' warm-up, opting instead for a bit of leg swinging and striding, but everyone was going at it with such gusto, it looked like fun and did the warming up trick.

The start was very well organised, with pens sectioned off, indicating a goal time. We took our positions (though Ian needed nudging forward, he really needed to get up front with his speedy legs!) and cheered as the different groups headed off around the field and out onto the course. Having run this course twice before, I knew what to expect, but I know others were surprised (dismayed?) at having to run up some steps and over a bridge, well, if you want to enjoy the woods, you need to cross the railway line! And wow, aren't those woods lovely?!

A few nervous runners had asked about the hills, how many, how steep, how tough? Well, yes, there are hills on this course, but the wonderful people of Petts Wood Runners think of everything and the hardest hill had little signs all the way up, to encourage and cajole you to the top. Up hill means down hill too and there was some super down hill flying going on through the woods, heading towards the biggest cheers at the corner and even some tunes from the live band!

All through the race, we felt supported and encouraged, with kind words, hi-fives and reassuring cheers from the marshals and locals. There were drinks and jelly babies and even Spongebob Squarepants made an appearance (anything to distract yourself). The KM markers ticked by and the end was in sight, well nearly, with a few loops of the residential streets and one last cheeky little hill before the '400m to go' sign did its magic. Some 'GoodGym!' cheers from the crowd (and an odd 'GoGym!') and we were heading to the finish, where we picked up our medal, some water, a banana, a samosa and our lovely commemorative t-shirts (which are actually technical and fitted, yay!).

What a great feeling to cheer on our friends and be part of a team, everyone did brilliantly. Congratulations especially to Kim and Stephen, both running their first ever races and to Roni, who ran Bournemouth Marathon just last week! Thank you everyone for a brilliant morning, let's get the next one booked!

If you want to read another report for this race, Danica has written a really great one on her blog.

And don't forget to rate the race on the Runner's World website.