The Prime Minister and The Wine Tipster took part in The Great Brook Run in the picturesque Cotswold village of Chadlington on December 27th. This annual cross-country race which is just-over-a-mile takes place half on land and half on water starting and finishing at The Tite Inn. As a resident of Chadlington, who lives very close to The Great Brook, it was hard for me to avoid participation.

Equipped with my worst pair of shoes and some ragged running kit I set off with The Great Brook Run website encouraging one liner in my mind: “Run, Get Wet, Have a Pint”.  It was muddy, slippery underneath, very cold when you first entered the brook, yet you soon acclimatised before experiencing claustrophobia when you crawled under the bridge through running water ahead of a triumphant finish back at The Tite Inn. Post-event refreshment was at hand, with an excellent pint of Black Sheep and between race stories, imbibing and refuelling with burgers there was a raffle with a first prize of a bottle of whisky signed by David Cameron. This was duly won by my father-in-law Alan Hill, who at 82 years of age had a very special day, which he will remember for seeing his son-in-law take part, winning the first prize in the raffle and having his photograph taken with Beth Storry, Olympic Bronze Medallist for Team GB Women’s Hockey.

Importantly, The Great Brook Run raised more than £600 for our village’s Memorial Hall, so a big thank you to the organisers and the sponsors Chadlington Quality Foods, Slatter’s Family Butchers, The Tite Inn, House & Carriage and Fête Game Hire

This was a terrific event and I hope, like myself, all the 110 finishers will look forward to getting wet again in 2013!