The women’s Olympic marathon was in town yesterday, but before reporting for cheering duty, there was a small matter of a 10k to run first. I’d recruited two friends to join me for the Regent’s Park 10k, a three lap race round one of London’s parks. It’s the most fun you can have on a Sunday morning in London for less than £15.

The race promised a fast flat route, the conditions were fine and with all three members of Team Lazy looking for a PB everything was looking good. That was until we hot the second lap and the rain came. This wasn’t just rain, this was a downpour – what that other famous runner Forrest Gump would have referred to as ‘big old fat rain’, and it didn’t stop.

It also didn’t stop us all getting our PBs, with me wading through puddles to cross the finish line in 45:47. Damn those 47 seconds and damn the rain. Next time! With a celebratory pale ale waiting for us at the finish, we rehydrated and dried off before jumping on our bikes to chase down the elites.

Somewhere around Blackfriars we found a gap in the crowd and set up our cheering position waiting to catch a glimpse of the women as they headed past on their second lap.

Twitter told me that Mara Yamauchi had dropped out already so the first time I glimpsed the Team GB heading towards us I assumed is was Claire Hallissey so we started screaming “Come on Claire”. Claire looked a bit confused – it was Freya Murray.

“Sorry Freya.” “Come on Freya!” “Looking good Freya.”

If you remember that last year I ran the marathon route and devised an Olympic marathon drinking game, you won’t be surprised to know that our cheering point was right by a pub.

And so with 40 minutes to kill before seeing the women pass us for the second time, it was only right that we shelter from the rain inside said pub with a beer and a good view of the marathon on a TV.

By lap two we were back in positionand had our respective cheers for Freya and Claire in order. Seeing some of the greats of marathon running up close and personal is an inspiring experience.

There’s few events in the Olympic schedule where you can just turn up, without a ticket and see the best athletes in a given sport going head to head free of change. If you’re anywhere near London this coming Sunday, head down and see the men battle it out.