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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