Andy: “Where are we going after Joe’s last run with us then?”

Joe: “It’s wings night at NO FREE PUBLICITY – we could do that?”

And so it was decided. Joe’s last night with GoodGym Chelmsford as a local would end with drinks and wings. Before that though, we just had to reach Upper Bridge Road, delicately pick leaflets with gloved fingers, jam hands through letterboxes and try not to leaflet the same place twice. Game on.

'Twas the first run of Christmas, and all through the streets
The lights were all sparkling, switched on late last week
The stone bridge and roundabout were bathed in a glow
So we stopped (and Rich jumped) to take a photo

The traffic jams parted and Dave – pretty quick
Stood in the middle to take a few pics
Then onwards to the centre for more snaps by the tree
Posing – dare I say it – almost elegantly

Then out on by the underpass there arose such a din,
Ben and Richard racing to see who would win
Past the shopfronts in Moulsham done up for Christmas
Despite our speed and our numbers, blink and you’d miss us
But if missing’s the subject there’s only one name around
Joe will miss you all when he heads out of town

"Bye, Laurie! Bye, Russell! Bye, Sallyann!
Sorry I left my glittery flares in the van!”
To the top of the road! To the top of the hill!
But the actual top of the road, not the one for Joel!"

And then, in a twinkling, a letterbox closes
Jess’ poor glove its metal jaw encloses
As she drew back her hand she exclaimed with a yelp
But Andy was too busy backmarking to help

His leaflets went fast, he was onto a winner
Like a lycra-wrapped Santa, just older and thinner
With leaflets delivered we headed back into town
Our stomach to fill, our sorrows to drown

This was the first time that Kate had seen us at a pub
But she'd heard the stories of crawls and pre-parkrun clubs
Our Wednesday night mad one became more insipid
They’d run out of wings! Fuming. #Livid.

Erin was gutted but the solution was easy
An alcohol-free espresso martini
Fay came to discover what tater tots are
(Basically hash browns, but smaller by far)

With leaflets all leafletted and all the drinks drunk,
We contemplated whether all our waistbands had shrunk
Some emotional hugs and drawn-out goodbyes
Could’ve been warm, but we did them outside

So up the A12 with memories galore,
Joe disappears to go and explore
Chelmsford will miss him, and he’ll miss their fun
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good run!