After completing the world’s biggest half marathon yesterday, it’s no surprise that Kay, Michelle, Jo and Stephen opted for the lift instead of the stairs in to the office today. Deep Heat anyone?
Project Manager, Kay Johnston; Office Administrator, Jo Awty; Copywriter, Michelle Houlsby; and Test Analyst, Stephen Thompson all took part in the 2009 Great North Run – and lived to tell the tale. As well as burning off a whopping 9,000 calories between them, they also raised over £1100 for Leukaemia Research, Prostate Cancer, Farplace Animal Rescue and the Cardiomyopathy Association - a charity for sudden death syndrome.
After months of gruelling training, Kay made her debut in this year’s run and was delighted that she completed the course in two hours and forty three minutes. “The race was amazing, mostly because I actually made it. I’ve watched the Great North Run on TV for years and decided if I was going to take part, it was now or never. Apart from the sore legs, I loved every minute of it. I’ll definitely be back for more next year.”
Michelle, who completed the course for the second time, explained: “The funniest thing is, I actually don’t like running that much. I did the Great North Run in 2007 because I wanted to do it once in my life, but somehow I ended up signing up for it again this year. I think it was the memory of Elvis singing in the bus stop and the amazing crowds that convinced me to take part again. Yesterday was fantastic, but after doing the run, as well as cycling from Newcastle to Edinburgh last month, I’m ready to chill out for a bit now. If I say I want to do it again next year, somebody please stop me.”
Fitness fanatic, Jo Awty, took part for the fourth time - impressive, we know! - and completed the 13.1 mile course from Newcastle to South Shields in two hours and twenty minutes. “Like Michelle, I always say ‘never again’, but the day is just so much fun that I came back for more this year. The atmosphere and organisation of the event was fabulous, as always, and I even managed to shave ten minutes off last year’s time, which I'm really chuffed about.”
Keen footballer, Stephen Thompson, also ran in yesterday’s 29th Great North Run and raised over £400 for Prostate Cancer. When asked what he thought about the day, Stephen said: “In last year’s race, I hit the proverbial wall after about seven or eight miles. To the uninitiated, 'hitting the wall' is an effectively succinct way of describing how, despite all your endeavour and best intentions, your legs stop working...completely. Cue lame excuses of 90 minutes’ intense football the day before, blah, blah, blah. So, this year I didn’t play football the day before and was rewarded by enjoying the experience, rather than enduring it. Will I be back for more? Ask me again in a few weeks.”
This year’s Great North Run attracted over 54,000 runners from all over the world and raised in excess of £8 million for a wide range of charities. Well done Kay, Michelle, Jo and Stephen for doing your bit. Also, a big pat on the back to Kay’s husband Ken; Michelle’s partner John-Paul; and Stephen’s friend Jon who also took part in the event and raised over £700 for charity. Let’s hope your legs aren’t as stiff tomorrow.