IT was showtime this weekend with two races in two days at country shows; one in South Yorkshire and the other in Lincolnshire.

The contrast from some of the mass races which I have taken part in couldn't have been greater.

At Tickhill on Saturday afternoon for the Tickhill Gala Run, there were just 44 runners for the 3.5-mile canter along craggy lanes and on roads around the Yorkshire town which lies near Doncaster.

Our 3pm race was squeezed in just after the fancy dress judging and was followed by a shoot-out in the main ring by the Doncaster Gunslingers.

But that's what makes this running adventure so interesting, so contrasting. A few months ago I was running with 36,000 other folk through the streets of London, and in early July with 44 others beside flood-damaged fields in this tiny South Yorkshire town.

There was still strong evidence of the floods which has caused havoc and death in this part of northern England.

Though the flood waters had subsided, sandbags still littered parts of the streets and water tide marks could be seen on the sides of some homes which were flooded a week earlier.

I don't like mid-afternoon race starts, and with the weather pretty hot, the run around Tickhill was tough. My legs were drained and it was an effort to get a decent pace.

I finished 14th in a time 25min 14sec, which was just over seven-minute-mile pace. My three sons, Micah, Leo and Ross were there waiting at the finish, having used the time to demolish the tenner I had given them to use on the various rides and stalls while I was running.

The following day I made the 65-mile journey to Spilsby which lies in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds not far from Boston.

The Spilsby Show is a grander affair than Tickhill. It had a main parade ring with displays of shire horses, a dog show, even a parade of British Legion veterans. It was a busy show, with scores of fairground attractions and sideshows.

For both races the weather held fair, which was good, and at Spilsby I decided to run the race with my son Ross in his sports stroller.

I had seen the course which consisted of roads and bridleways and thought it would be okay. It was tough. The bridleways were bumpy and lumpy, and it must have given Ross an horrendous ride. It was tricky to push and to get any sort of momentum.

Added to that was the fact that there were several tough hills to climb, and on a bridleway that is hard.

Imagine running with your hands by your side and it is tough. You don't realise how much you use your arms to run with.

Ross was chortling away on the run, and the runners alongside us were very supportive.

The race was over six miles starting and finishing at the showground, and it hurt.

I came 74th out of 116 runners with a time of 48min 59sec. A pretty poor time, as I covered the first open stretch of mile in seven minutes, but after that it was a slog.

I got back to find Micah and Leo had cleaned me out for another tenner on the fairground attractions, but it was fun to get away.

This was a very different slice of running life.