THE GREAT RUN GNR-40 – SUNDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2021

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After being cancelled last year due to the pandemic, the Cities of Newcastle and Gateshead braced themselves along with tens of thousands of runners for the 40th edition of the Great North Run. 57,000 determined and dedicated runners make the Great North Run the World’s biggest and best half marathon. Famous for its warm North East welcome, unbeatable atmosphere and the millions raised for good causes. The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 metre Bronze medalist and BBC sports commentator Brendan Foster. The GNR’s iconic route has been changed this year, this meant that there was no famous run along the sea front to the finish line in South Shields, instead participants turned around half way to the coast and came back across the Tyne Bridge in the opposite direction and through the city centre once again. Rather than the traditional mass start on the A167 in Newcastle, runners were allocated specific time slots, with the final participants setting off several hours after the first. Live footage and highlights of this extravaganza were broadcast by the BBC with the infamous Royal Airforce aerobatics team the Red Arrows adding the usual awesome spectacle as they were seen soaring across the skies of Newcastle.

Eccleshill’s entrants included: Garry Ellison (02:18:13) Julie Steele (02:18:13) Martin Steele (02:18:13) Emma Haigh (02:05:25) Daniel Jenkins (01:34:55) Mike Farrell (01:55:04) Great Running team Eccleshill, well done!