A mistyped email address led a Kew running group to recruit a new member from the other side of the world.
More than a year ago, retired banker Michael Glazebrook, 56, noticed the usual email thread between the runners, who had been meeting most mornings for 10 years, had gone quiet, but thought nothing of it.
But it all became clear when organiser Sally Woodward Gentle revealed she had received a reply from his namesake in New Zealand after she had incorrectly typed his email address.
The other Michael Glazebrook, who owns a farm near New Zealand’s east coast, replied to the long email chain between the runners saying: “As much as you sound like a lovely bunch of people and I do occasionally run, I won’t be able to make it tomorrow as I live in New Zealand and it would be a bit of a journey.”
He asked to be removed from the thread, but did say he might surprise the recreational runners one day.
About two weeks ago, Ms Woodward Gentle received an email from Mr Glazebrook saying he was coming to London on holiday and would love to run with the group.
The two Michael Glazebrooks met with the group for an early-morning run along the river followed by a hearty breakfast on Monday, September 22.
London Mr Glazebrook said it was delightful to meet his Kiwi namesake.
He said: “He’s very similar to me, it really is bizarre.
“I’m 56, he’s 55, and we’re both family men with kids. We got on really well.
“He’s actually trying to trace the Glazebrook name, and thinks it goes all the way back to the Normans. You don’t see many Glazebrooks around and he’s certainly the first Michael Glazebrook I’ve ever met.
Kiwi Mr Glazebrook has now flown back to New Zealand, but his Londoner namesake, who has lived in Kew for 20 years, says he will not rule out scheduling another run with his new friend.
He said: “We did speak about it and we might well go the other way one day.”
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