The Great North Run is one of the largest races in Europe. Produced by the Great Run Company, which puts on swims, road races, and bike races across the British Isles. I was fortunate enough to attend Manchester and New Castle.
Stuart Weir did this piece on the Great North Run.
A record number of runners took part in this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run, which saw tens of thousands of runners complete the famous 13.1-mile course from Newcastle South Shields, as well as one of the most exciting women’s road races of all time.
The elite women’s race saw a thrilling sprint for the finish line, with six athletes in contention as the race entered the final mile. Mary Ngugi-Cooper (Kenya) emerged victorious in a time of 1:07:40, with Senbere Teferi (Ethiopia) in second and Alemu Megertu (Ethiopia) in third. Eilish McColgan, perhaps too soon after her Big Half London triumph, placed fifth at 1:07:45.
The first man across the finish line in South Shields was Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba, who was crowned winner at 59:52 after taking the lead early in the race. Britain’s Marc Scott rounded off a good weekend,…
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A memorable day in many ways, today marked the 50th anniversary of Sir Brendan claiming European 5,000m Gold at the 1974 European Championships in Rome.
A minute of applause was also held for campaigner and fundraiser Claire Lomas before the official race starter, Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medallist Kieran Reilly, set runners on their way. Claire Lomas, a legend of the Great North Run, sadly passed away in August.
