Its Wednesday evening, its dark, its getting wintery and there's a likelihood of rain, so why on earth would anyone think of heading off to Street to race the 5 'around the block' laps of the Clive & Angela Thomas Street 5k.

That's a question I've asked myself umpteen times.  I even used to pay in advance so I'd feel a fiscal obligation to go!

So come last Wednesday, yet again I had to steel myself to make the decision to go, or not go?

I hadn't run since overdoing it at the Mells Scenic 7 and my heel problem was still nagging, so should I take the risk, or perhaps just go for a gentle trial run to see how it would hold up.  A last check of the BBC weather site annoyingly said the rain would clear just in time so "darn" I have to go.

For those that don't know the lap takes you right through the middle of the shopping centre, then round the houses behind the car parks before returning along the main High Street, much to the amusement of passers by.

It's not even a P.B. friendly course, what with all those tricky corners and a bunch of sleeping policemen in the road you start down.  So again why?

Turns out there is something oddly fun about doing it, at least that's how it feels afterwards when you all traipse back to the Church Hall where you register.  Wells are a keen and friendly bunch and there's teas, coffees and biscuits on offer to help refresh your knackered body while the results are being processed.

Then there's the prize giving, which is quite extensive for what is perhaps a smaller event.  Bottles of wine or boxes of sweets are awarded for all the main categories and there's even the chance of getting one of several equally enticing spot prizes, given at random to other competitors completing the event.

So back to the actual running, how did it go?  Well my heel hurt, but ........

I'm now writing an article after all these years of going there, so you've probably guessed there's some reason or other.

Yup there's a reason, I can honestly say the wine tasted all the sweeter for years of trying.  Finally and very unexpectedly I won a category prize, the V60 in a time of 20m:42s and even better I was ahead of the V50 winner who finished in 20m:53s.

Like the Summer Yeovilton series, these races take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month, with the last one being in March.  Aside from the chance of a prize on the night, everyone who does at least five gets a series memento, so there's still time to come and take part either in the series, or just as a one off.