I recently ran in a local  “first time” 10K race which was marketed as a post code battle between N10 and N2, Called Race The Neighbour. I was encouraged to sign up by some N2 friends (I live in N10), the idea being a friendly little battle, as such. Why not? So my husband and I both decided to give it a go. It was a terrific race. The event started at the local park in East Finchley, called Cherry Tree Woods. There was a bag drop option, but really there was no need. The start time was 9:30 and with our running kit on, we had a gentle walk over there for 9am, race ready and free of any extra bits. Simple collection of the race number from the table, followed by a little loo stop and then a few strides around the park to limber up. It was all so simple and relaxed, just like local races used to be. At a few minutes to start time, we jumble around the start point and had friendly banter with the post code competition. The day was a hot one, and so the unshaded parts of the race were tough, but all in all it was a great route. It started from Cherry Tree Park and then connected with the Parkland Walk taking us to the Grove and onto to the top of Alexander Palace. I love the view from there and it was spectacular on this morning, we even had the joy of a great down hill run, the easy flat dirt road towards the Farmers Market and then the challenging sheer climb back up towards the Grove and the tree lined hill. That was a teeth grinding section, but once that was over, it was a fantastic shaded journey back along the Parkland Walk and into beautiful Highgate Woods. My body loved this bit as Highgate Woods is literally my second home. I felt strong from here on in and sailed through the rest with a strong finish back in Cherry Tree Park. Although N2 won the race overall, I finished as the first N10 female in 46 minutes and 18 seconds. The battle was over and we all remain firm friends!