Great North Run

Living in Newcastle it was inevitable that one day, one of us would run in the Great North Run. With 54,000 runners, it's the world's largest 1/2 marathon and certainly one of the friendliest. Most people run for a charity, many even do so in crazy costumes (which is beyond me how they manage to actually run, but they do).

Ole was lucky enough to get a slot in this year's race. Even though it's "just" a 1/2 marathon, it really is a full day event. We're fortunate to live close to the start, so I walked Ole and his friend Jonathan to the starting line, which was just over the hill on the Town Moor. For some runners, it will take them 45 minutes to get from their starting area through the gate. Crazy.

 Anyway, the race runs from Jesmond, down through town, across the Tyne Bridge, through Gateshead and along out to the coast where it ends - up a hill! - in South Shields. After leaving Jonathan and Ole, I walked back and took the Metro out to Shields. It's about a 40 minute ride and already was pretty packed. From there, it's a mile walk to the finish area. It's impossible to see anyone you know. With 54,000 runners and at least double that many spectators, the place is crowded, to say the least. But I found them post-race and we headed back home.

 

They both did excellent - Ole got 1.43.3 and Jonathan was 1.47. Pretty much the whole time I was waiting out at Shields it was pouring with rain, which is why they were quite wet when they arrived. You can see some official photos here: just type in Pedersen. See - it's INSANE. Well done lads!