Sunday 7th September

There’s something undeniably special about the Great North Run. From the roar of the crowd at the Tyne Bridge to the emotional finish along the South Shields seafront, this half marathon is more than just a race – it’s an experience.   Please take a moment to read Sarah Day’s 🌹 reflection on the highs, lows, and everything in between on the road from Newcastle to the coast 💕 ⬇️

I was fortunate to win a place in the GNR ballot. It is the largest half marathon with an expected 60,000 runners. Running from Newcastle to Southshields.

I didn’t know anyone else who had successfully won a place, until I saw Jenny post a picture of her bib on Instagram !  To which I reached out, and we shared our pre arranged plans.

A week before the race I was emailed about attending a runna live podcast at Fenwick with Paula Radcliffe.  There were 50 spaces, and I was a lucky one again ✨

On the train up, Jenny and I shared very close reserved seats on the train from Euston to Newcastle with the Runna crew who were filming the podcast, Ben Parker the founder of Runna and Anya Cullings!  I recognised Anya straight away.. literally sitting next to me!  She was editing her next video on the journey.   We spoke at the end to respect privacy, she was currently injured, I spoke about her newly diagnosed coeliac disease which I have, and we shared a selfie 📸 Anya’s advice to me with the GNR was … ‘never make a decision on a hill’.  I will need that for taking on the Beachy marathon hills!

I then attended the runna event where Ben and Anya were interviewing Paula Radcliffe ! It was so surreal!

The next day it was only right to do a park run to shake out the nerves and keep the legs moving.  I travelled to Blyth Links for a coastal 2.5 lapper.  Jenny went to the local Jesmond dene parkrun.

Race day:  I didn’t sleep too well, I definitely felt weaker and anxious. There had been such a build up, but I stood at the start and thought, it doesn’t matter- look at all the great things that have happened this trip!  I am content with that, regardless of outcome.  We waited in the pens for about an hour on a closed off motorway.  We finally crossed the start. Anxiety turned to strength 💪. The roads were wide, the crowds were buzzing, people shouting your name. I caught the red arrows flying over which was lucky timing .  Grabbed the water at every stop, continually chucking it over myself to keep cool, and maintained pace!

I crossed the line at 1 hour 36, 35secs, a 5 minute PB!  A guy thanked me as he was keeping me in his sites to keep him going with my pace in the last few km !

It was freezing and windy when we finished, I found Jenny and we watched the red arrow show ✈️ , and bumped into Dame Kelly Holmes to which she gave me a hug to warm me up and a selfie 📸

What a weekend!, even if they did put the wrong river on the medal 🤣 ✨

🎤 a truly magical account of a fabulous weekend up North Sarah and Jenny.  Memories made here to treasure forever 💕Congratulations to you both on two great runs despite a strong headwind 💨 Amazing!