The arrangements had changed this year as the marathon had got more popular, the leisure centre had an open day for personal applications, well actually an open two hours, for local people in advance of processing postal applications.
There were four desks open, divided into: 'Under 3 hours', '3 to 3.5 hours', '3.5 to 4 hours', & 'Over 4 hours'. Then each desk had four or five people doing the processing, I happened to find myself in front of Ms Balikimalina Uennifina Frommel-Fedinekidadear.
I thought: 'bloody hell what a name to go to bed with?' as I handed the completed application form over to an attractive mid forties buxom lady, to put it bluntly, she was a bit bulky. I had all sorts of ideas of the origin of the name but quickly put it out of my mind as we confirmed details and swapped bits of paper.
A couple of weeks later an A4 envelope arrived with all of the paperwork and the covering letter contained a printed signature of which only the first two letters of each name contained any semblance of recognition 'Ba Ue Fr Fe'.
Another month of practicing and I was as ready as I'll ever be. Sunday morning arrived and after my high protein breakfast and final check I had everything, the twenty minute drive found me leaving the car and looking for the checking in table, I found: A-D, E-J, K-O, P-U. four check-in tables and my name is Wilson with no sign of a 'W' position.
"Excuse me madam, I'm looking for the 'W' check-in."
She turned to face me, "W?"
"My name's Wilson, I only see up to U."
"No you have a number issued to you, do you have your paperwork there?"
I opened the envelope again and slipped the paper out. "Oh, OK I see thanks, I'm L48."
"There you go." She gestured to the K-O line.
"OK thanks."
I walked towards the K-O sign. The sign-in was very quick and my numbers and safety pins were soon applied to my shirt and the transducer to my shoe lace. I checked the time and had twenty minutes before the off, twenty minutes of gentle warm-up and rubbing in muscle relaxant.
Then while grouping together at the 'L' starting position I heard: "Hello Terry."
I turned and didn't recognise anyone.
"Terry."
"Hello, I, err..." I must have looked dumb.
"I registered you."
"Oh I'm sorry Mrs err... From...ly you look so..."
"Different? Call me Bally, everyone else does."
"Yes... Hello Bally. How did you know my name?"
"The application form."
"Do you remember everyone's name here?"
"No don't be silly, just a few. Mostly those supporting the hospice. Listen we're nearly off."