I hadn't considered not participating in this event; the decision was whether to race it, or run with Aki in preparation for the SMH Half in a week's time.

The Great Housework Fiasco of 2005 put an end to this, and I wandered down to the finish line to assist instead of running. Although I probably spent too much time on my feet, I was able to be a 'spotter' on the sidelines, calling out the names of those finishing before their numbers were visible for checking. It still surprises me how decimated my cognitive abilities were for much of the previous decade. I couldn't recognise work colleagues I saw hour to hour, let alone running acquaintances. Now, I can count to ten and chew gum at the same time.

I alternated spotting finishers with photographing people as they crossed the line. Most significantly, I was there when Aki stormed home in 1:56:23, comfortably ahead of her sub-2 hour target. It took a while to catch up with her afterwards, but she was justifiably proud, and boasting how she was overtaking others over the final few k's.

[To be continued . . . . ]