The pie eaters' finest hour!

So I was honoured, nay amazed, that I should be gracefully inducted into the running team with the fabulous name of Yes We Ate All The Pies for this year's Round Norfolk Relay.

This is a 193-mile relay around the historic county split over 17 stages, spread over more than a day, starting and finishing in King's Lynn.

I was keen to run the race. I used to live and work in Norfolk and have fond memories of the East Anglian county.

Thanks to the event's organisers, they put me in touch with Joe Walpole who is behind YWAATP, and was duly inducted.

YWAATP is basically a group of twenty, thirty and occasionally fortysomething group of nutters built around a bunch of schoolfriends who grew up in Lowestoft and another set of mates from a diving club in London.

In various guises, this group of friends hang out a few times each year, and 18 months ago the idea was sewn that they should get together for a weekend of running; possibly getting together on a Saturday evening for a pre-race meal, run something like a half marathon together on the Sunday, and then reconvene for a post-race celebration.

The half marathon got ditched in favour of the relay and a year ago YWAATP made their bow in this challenging run, which attracts some top club runners from across the region.

Twelve months ago, there were only three slower teams from the 45 starters. "At least with the name people know from the outset what we are all about," explained Andy, a 36-year-old Royal Navy weapon technician.

"They know we are here to run, but we're here to have fun as well, and that's what it is all about."

Andy, dressed in a wonderful Belicia Beacon orange outfit, was to be my cycling guide on the first leg. That had been my punishment for volunteering, the opening 16-mile run from King's Lynn to Hunstanton.

As one of the slowest teams, we had been given the earliest start among seven other snails, and that meant a 6am start. The hares wouldn't be leaving the Lynnsport leisure centre for two or three more hours.

But this wasn't a punishment, this was a reward by running at the most perfect time of the day.

Dawn was breaking as we set off. Two guys went scorching off into the lead, never to be seen again. I was running very respectable seven minute miles to start with, so how slow were these guys?

Andy was brilliant. He provided great conversation, encouragement and water along the way. We were alone for most of the way, heading out of King's Lynn to Castle Rising and then on forest roads bordering the Sandringham estate.

Our route cut in towards the coast, through the delightful village of Wolferton where Andy could cycle no further. He turned round to meet up with his partner and fellow runner Heidi, who was following in a car behind, and also joined by Rebecca who I would be handing over to at the end of this first leg.

The route along the coast was hard, the sand and shingle surface dragging at my ankles, pulling at my hamstrings. It was like running on treacle, but the spectacular scenery provided a wonderful anaesthetic to the pain.

The sky was lifting from a silver blue to blue, the sea was silky smooth and serene, and on the coastal plain occupied by a chorus of birds, a low mist hung over the grassland.

It was wonderful. The route was well marked and there were few problems along the way. Occasionally I met the odd birdwatcher setting up with his binoculars, plus the occasional walker.

The sereness was shattered half way through the run by a sudden call of nature. I usually take Immodium for long run which helps to constipate the bowels, but had forgotten to pack the tablets on the drive to East Anglia.

I'd felt uncomfortable while running, but there was no way I was going to dash into the bushes with Andy around. So I waited until he had rejoined Heidi and Rebecca before having a quick consitutional, apologising to a nearby flock of ducks for the smell, and continuing on my way!

Relief was at hand, no not for the bottom, but for my weary feet when, after passing Heacham and Snettisham, the route returned to hard-standing and solid tarmac along the promenade.

The seaside town of Hunstanton hove into view. Beach hut and small wooden seaside shelters had closed down for the winter, as had the fairground. Now I was on the run-in.

The final stretch involved a twisting run up a path by the cliffs, and then a run towards the lighthouse for the end of my leg.

There was Rebecca ready and waiting for me to hand over the hollow baton, which made for a great pan-pipe musical instrument along some of the windier stretches of the coast!

I handed over in third place in a time of 2hrs 9mins for the 16.38 mile run. I felt I could have run faster, but slowed considerably over the final half when i was on for two hours.

My hamstring was hurting quite a bit, still feeling the effects of the Grizzly the previous week. It concerned me so much so that I later abandoned plans to compete in the Robin Hood Half Marathon in Nottingham the following day.

I was still pleased with the run, and the fabulous scenery.

Heidi was there, along with Joe who had driven straight to Hunstanton and who later on in the day was armed with a packetful of pies.

We jumped into the car and set off in pursuit of Rebecca. I stayed with the team for the next couple of stages which took the field to Burnham Overy and Wells where I met more members of the mad YWAATP team.

The team eventually crossed the finish line without two many mishaps in a time of 28 hours 50 minutes and 8 seconds - some 21 minutes faster than 12 months ago, but still the third slowest of all the teams.

It didn't matter. The pie-eaters had a blast, and this was what running is all about.