Author and journalist Don Hale planned to start his local 10k race from somewhere near the rear of the field… but did not intend to give the pack a quarter of a mile start!

After getting a thorough soaking and feeling cold and wet due to the delayed 25 minute start, he dashed to the loo on the pier just before the off.

When the former Matlock Mercury boss returned, and much to his surprise, the race had started and everyone had gone.

Don (at the back)

He explained: “There was a bit of confusion over the revised start and I thought I would have time to spend a quick penny. Imagine my shock when I found they had already set off when I returned.

“The tail-enders were about 400 yards in the distance so I had no choice but to run after them. I tried to gradually work my way through the massed pack but as this was my first distance race for over four years, I was unfit and struggled.

“We had a good laugh about it en route and I thoroughly enjoyed the race. I was a bit tired on the last couple of miles and it didn’t help with the wind and rain but what the heck.

“It was good fun. I finally recorded about 54 minutes but was well down on the placings due to my late start.”