Sunday 12 September 2021

Great North Run

 

Another PB for Stuart

On Sunday 12th September 11 members of Grantham Running Club headed north to take part in the 40th running of the Great North Run.  The first race back in 1981, was the idea of British Olympian Brendan Foster and attracted 12,000 entrants, the latest edition of the worlds largest half marathon now attracts more than 50,000 entrants.  Delayed from 2020 to ensure the 2021 race returned a couple of changes were made, firstly the course was changed, for the first time in the events history, to an our and back course which meant that the iconic Tyne bridge was crossed twice, but the finish was not along the seafront in South Shields.  The changes to the route make an already tough half marathon even harder.  The second change was that the mass start was changed to allocated time slots and a wave approach.

Stef

Some of the GRC runners were running for charities and therefore not wearing the familiar Green army attire.

First home from the club was Aaron Smith who produced an excellent result beating his previous PB by 9 minutes in a time of 01:25:25, Next home was Stef Latter who was overwhelmed to improve his PB by 2 minutes to 1:38:44 in the process raising over £500 for Young lives versus cancer, next and running together and raising over £1,400 for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, to support each other through and assisted by one of the many pacers provided by GNR organisers Robin Atter and half marathon newbie Rachel Hamilton finished in a time of 1:44:12 and 1:44:33.  They were followed by Stuart Baty at 1:49:26 delighted to improve on his PB set six weeks ago in London by just over a minute, Paul Kelly (1:55:36) running for Guide Dogs and raising in excess of £350, was followed by Jack Dodwell (1:56:45) returning from injury with only 3 short training runs who was supporting a local charity “Freya’s fight for sight” with Freya’s father Gav raising over £3,500 combined the next one home and

Paul

first for the ladies was Vicki Ball (1:58:56) with a fantastic 4 minute PB on what she described as a challenging course only made bearable by the amazing atmosphere and support of all.  Jacqueline Jacobs (02:21:04) has made an amazing recovery from a year ago when she had spinal surgery and was unable to walk yet 9 months later is an inspiration for all as she was running a half marathon but is not looking at running up any more hills anytime soon.  Emma and Emma were both running their first ever half marathons and running together Emma Duncan raising over £800 for Cancer Research and Emma Fleet found it very emotional raising over £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of her Grandad.

All agreed it was a fantastically supported and organised event especially given the restrictions that we all have to work around.  The sight of the Red Arrows flying over the Tyne bridge always brings a lump to your throat.

The women’s Elite race was won by Hellen Obiri from Kenya (01:07:42); the men’s Elite was won by Marc Scott (01:01:22) Richmond & Zetland Harriers. 

 

Aaron Smith            01:25:25

Stefan Latter           01:38:44

Robin Atter              01:44:12

Rachel Hamilton        01:44:33

Stuart Baty              01:49:26

Paul Kelly                01:55:36

Jack Dodwell            01:56:45

Vivki Ball                 01:58:46

Jacqueline Jacobs      02:21:04

Emma Duncan          02:49:08

Emma Fleet             02:49:08

 

Emma and Emma

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