Victoria Shipton
With a 30 mile trail marathon done the week before, a raging cold and a last minute running number it wasn’t perhaps the best preparation for donning my road trainers for a change and doing the Great North Run (GNR). But, it is a race I have done many times over the years, my 14 year old son was a toddler the last time I did it with him in tow and he was interested to go and watch the build up, soak up the atmosphere and, as a keen athlete himself, he wanted to see the elite runners and there was a ‘fun’ bus going from The Fitness Machine gym, as it does every year with dozens of people from Whitby taking part in the GNR. the cold had taken me down all week and I did wonder if I’d be well enough to run, but a Lemsip a day keeps the doctor away right…and I didn’t fancy telling my son, who is as hard as nails, we weren’t going. So, off we set at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning, armed with enough snacks to fuel half of Newcastle to catch the bus. The run went really well, I am glad I took the number in the end – and the cold relief. I had forgotten just how much fun the GNR is, how good the atmosphere is and the support from people watching. Will I be doing it again? There is a strong chance because as soon as he is old enough, my lad will be entering and I will be trailing in his footsteps this time.
Jack Eshleby
This past Sunday I took part in my 2nd ever Great North Run, and my first as a Loftus and Whitby AC member, coming into the race I had no intention of even running after suffering a few injury setbacks coming into the training, but a couple of weeks before I was offered a race bib, and I declined, feeling ill prepared. Fast foward a couple of weeks of rehab and physio, and 12 hours before, I was once again offered the same race bib and I accepted! I consider this quite a home race as my mum is a geordie, so it’s nice to partake again, and what a day for it! Amazing atmosphere! And a 12 minute PB. Great day out all in all.
Adam Theaker
Race day brought windy but dry conditions, with a headwind for most of the course and some welcome tailwind over the final 1.5 miles on the seafront.
From the start, I was in a group of around 10 runners. The pack gradually thinned, and by the last mile there
were just two of us left. Working together helped keep the pace strong, though miles 8–11 were particularly tough with the headwind and climbs.
I’d gone in hoping to break 69 minutes, but it became clear early on that the conditions would make that difficult. A controlled opening meant I could run the final 4 miles more comfortably, which is where the race really comes alive.
This race also tied in well with my Chester Marathon build-up. Training included 18+ mile long runs at 6:00/mile pace, interval sessions such as 5×2 miles at 5:30/mile and 5×3k at 5:10/mile, plus regular 60+ mile weeks.
I’m really pleased with the outcome: 7th in the mass race and 37th overall.
Ryan Braithwaite
Lisa Verill
GNR 2021 my first time doing a half marathon finishing in 2hrs 32mins and 6 seconds which I think is a pretty good effort for a first attempt (However, I thought I going to vomit at multiple points throughout that one 
). To this year where I comfortably got round in 1hr 53 mins and 39 seconds and felt like I could have kept going.
Training was just getting out as often as I could manage, building pace and distance.
to support my Step-Dad who has Parkinsons.Zara Noble
After having done the GNR previously and nit being fully fit, as well as missing out on the ballot a couple of times, 2025 was my year for a half PB!
I started a 12 week training block, after a summer holiday in Greece 
, and enjoyed getting out in the British sunshine! I stuck to the plan and really fell in love with running and training once again, even mirroring L&W Friday night effort sessions!