IMPOSSIBLE as it may seem to anyone who knows him, I almost got to dislike John Lewis for a couple of hours 18 years ago.

It was a Sunday morning in April 2006 and I was running the Taunton Half Marathon for the first and last time.

There I was caught up in the buzz outside what was then SCAT, since renamed Bridgwater and Taunton College.

At this point, I have a confession. The faster participants were supposed to line up at the front of the starting line, the slower coaches towards the rear.

I reasoned positioning myself near the front would help me get off the grid quicker and avoid the people jam towards the back. So it was as John set the Taunton Marathon and Half Marathon in motion.

I was immediately overtaken by scores of long-legged, expert runners.

The ensuing hour and 50 minutes was torture, particularly when a strong wind running out of Norton Fitzwarren seemed to blow me backwards.

The long and short of it - actually there was no short - was I struggled back to SCAT, picking up my medal and commemorative T shirt.

The shandy in the Cross Keys was the sweetest drink I have ever had.

So why my short-lived negative feelings towards John? Well, he was the race director, who spent months planning the event and ensuring everything - unlike me - ran smoothly on the day.

While interviewing him before the 2006 race, he somehow persuaded me to sign up.

Little did I realise the agony I would put myself through, along with thousands of other runners, including colleagues from the County Gazette.

John is now passing on the marathon baton to three businessmen, who are already planning to bring back the event, which has been cancelled four times since 2020.

The race, along with the Taunton 10k, has raised thousands of pounds towards staging the annual Taunton Carnival. John has calmly, meticulously and efficiently organised all three events for several years after taking over from his late father-in-law Colin Chritchard, who has a road in Taunton named in his honour.

It is impossible to thank John enough for all he has done for the town and to bring enjoyment to tens of thousands of participants and spectators over many years. Perhaps there should be a John Lewis Way in the town.