MADAM, The Gazette carried a report on January 9th 'New Year's Day Run' of the annual Hogmanay Run from PGL at Foy, which interested me because I was mentioned me by name and it was incorrect in almost every respect – not, I hastily add, the fault of the Gazette.

I can say this with certainty because on that chilly morning I drove my partner (not "Mrs Pearson" as reported) to the start and besides us, there was but one other person there. No other runners, walkers or dogs in fancy dress or otherwise. We chatted to this other person for a few moments and agreed with him that 'a win is a win'.

At 11 o'clock I commented he'd better be on his way, and off he went. As did my partner. I drove home with my injury, checking on the floods at the Rowing Club along the way. Substantially flooded, the finish line would be unreachable, I decided, except by boat. Mr Exton did not 'break away from the pack'. He was alone. There was no 'keenly contested battle for the minor places'. And my partner is waiting for her 'first lady prize'.

If Mr Exton did 'wade 70 yards to the finish' then I suppose he did win the run, though not quite in the style implied. A hollow victory, methinks.

If PGL read this then I hope they will appreciate I did not presume to start the race – I merely noted when 11am had arrived. I hope this has put the record straight.

Andrew Pearson, Ross