Well I’m on my way to the race. Broken arm in a sling and running very carefully. Glad this is going ahead. Running in purple (it’s my running club’s colour anyhow and very appropriate considering). Black armband as well of course. My wife is running her first ever great north run too. Anyone else doing it? One of my favourite race events and it’ll be my 9th half marathon this year. Wish us both luck
My wife that passed in 2005, her younger sister is doing it for the first time and in her memory (and for cancer research). She is not a runner at all so completely fair play to her.
GNR is always a great occasion. Up until about 5 years ago, at least one member of my family had taken part in every race. My Dad and his brothers did a lot of the early races, my Mum even did it once year. My cousin used to travel up from Kent every year for the run. I did it in 97 with 24 hours notice, that was fun. Did it again in 2004 when 7 years of beer and kebabs took it's toll and I limped over the line. Might do it again before I'm 50, but chronic back condition means I'd be walking the 13 miles rather than running Good luck to everyone doing it today
My running days are sadly long gone, but the GNR was always a favourite. I think I ran it 6 times over the years. It is such a brilliant day. Enjoy the event mate, I am sure it will be a special one.
Good luck Marcus lad. I don't believe the race should have been held today out of respect, just my opinion like.
Have to say I understand your point of view. That said, I I don’t know how you rearrange something of this magnitude without it costing millions to charities and (less importantly of course) event organisers. The charity thing is the biggest. There’ll be hundreds of thousands of people in the north east for it. A massive amount travelling from all over the country and world. Logistical nightmare. 50000 runners plus their supporters
Best of luck, you’ll smash it. Fond memories of watching my dad run it as a kid, which I emulated back in 2017. A brilliant experience. I can see why so many do it more than once
Good luck mate (+ missus) Its quite cool and not windy... so I expect a good time..broken limbs no excuse
Good luck Marcus and Mrs Marcus. It’s 10:45 , so you probably won’t see this til later , but are you wearing a grey hat ?
In about 1988 roughly me and my cousin ran the 5k Gateshead trailblazer road race that ended at the stadium. We always agreed to run together. As we got into the stadium I thought I'd be a clever twat and put a sprint on. Anyway my cousin saw that and beat me to the line anyway. Moral of the story, if you're running together don't be a twat.
Purple hat mate and black armband as a mark of respect. Thoroughly enjoyed. Didn’t run for any specific time as my best is sub 1hr 50. I promised Mrs B that I’d run it with her and she’s nowhere near that pace. 2:49:33. Massive PB for her so all good.
It was a few years ago now, I was taking pain killers cos I had bruised a rib, it was hot and no wind. Obviously did not hydrate enough. I had the worst cramp I ever had. It was just my luck that instead of a pretty young physio in the treatment tent I got an old bearded bloke for massage. I reckon I did not hydrate until the 4th pint at about 10.00 pm..
