FINALLY race day arrived and we set off to Manchester for the Great Run last Sunday.

I should have known things were unlikely to go my way when I was denied access to the elite athletes’ car park.

Undeterred I paid a quid to park on the old Boddingtons site and went to find Haile Gebreselassie, who I presumed would be acting as my pace man.

Unfortunately, due obviously to a clerical error, Haile was some 23,500 places in front of me.

In fact I’m advised, having won the race in a tad over 28 mins, he was on his way to the airport before I had started.

Eventually, I crossed the starting line with the wonderfully patient Mrs B acting as my pacemaker. It was a little disconcerting that she decided to hop, but it was a great way of me keeping up.

I eventually crossed the finishing line in 1hr 12mins and 38 seconds, proud as punch that I had not had to stop once.

I was quite pleased with myself until I got home and had a look at some of the results. A chap called Martin Walker had managed it in 39mins 29secs, aged 80. Yes, 80 years of age, what a bloke!

In fact 59 octogenarians finished the race in under an hour - how fantastic is that? My great pal, but arch rival, for the race, Alec Graham, finished in 60mins - a minute for each year of his age.

The Valley was well represented, with over 200 taking part. Our top runner was Jonathan Melia, who completed the 10km in 39mins - a superb effort.

Sean Ruane, our world famous Valley singer, had set everybody going with a rousing song from the top of a platform, which was suspended 60ft in the air, and then ran the race in a terrific 48 minutes.

For the record, I came 23,359 out of 35,000. Can I say a massive thank-you to everyone who sponsored me; you have all been so generous.