It’s understandable to be sad not to be able to run a race that you hoped to. It’s understandable not to want to travel a long way to that race and watch others take part from the sidelines.

I’d had so much fun doing the Snowdonia Marathon with Katie last year that we signed up again along with five other friends. But illness and injuries meant that three of us wouldn’t be running it. We packed our bags and travelled out to Wales all the same.

When race morning came, Katie, Josie and myself put on our Team Rainbow hoodies and saw our runners off tot he start in the cold and rain. After the race began, we picked up a couple of discarded rain ponchos and headed back into the village to fuel ourselves up on breakfast at Pete’s Eats ready for a long day of spectating.

We popped into the pub to confirm a booking for later (and check the beer) then saw the winner, John Gilbert, come flying down the hill towards the finish. He gave the crowd a wave as he rounded the last bend and thanked them – classy running.

The last four miles of the Snowdonia Marathon involved a two-mile (big) uphill followed by a fast two miles down the other side. We knew from last year how much difference a friendly cheer in the middle of nowhere can make, so we set off up the hill to offer runners just that.

We saw Cathy (I’ll let her tell you about her race) and another friend. We hiked over the top and down the other side to meet Phil who was heading up in good spirits. We marched with him until he ran off ahead, sprinting for the line and took a detour through a field of sheep to collect some dry socks before heading tot he pub.

After London Marathon last year, Katie announced in the pub: “I’ve realised that you can have just as much fun in the pub after a race whether you’ve run or not.” It’s true. Even if that race is one you were sad not to make the start line of. And especially if you have a great bunch of people to spend the day with and cheer on.

Thanks to Custom College for sending us our brilliant Team Rainbow hoodies.