Great North Run

Newcastle here we come!

Once again Walk the Walk returned to Newcastle to take part in the Great North Run - the largest half marathon in the world and with all the people buzzing around before the start you could tell that there were 36,000 people there!

With their bright and fluffy bras the team came together in the usual spot with our pink balloons being seen all the way down the road. Last minute bra decorations, name writing and balloon management were followed by a team tactics talk (especially balloon management!) Taking part in one of our challenges is a team effort and whether you have come as group or are walking on your own we always try to support each other. It's not easy but it makes a difference if you are feeling in need of a moral boost later on. In our fabulous group we had long term supporters of Walk the Walk, first time walkers and 3 members of the Walk the Walk team taking part in their first half marathon

Off we walked to find our place in the starting line - the road seemed to go on for a very long way until we found our way into our starting area - ironically it was the Pink start. A traditional Walk the Walk warm up, songs and cries of "Oggy, oggy ogggy" kept us busy as the minutes ticked by until we heard the starters gun and went, well, nowhere! With so many people to cross the start line it took us 30 minutes to get there, passing Roy Gayle who does the warm ups at The MoonWalk, on the way. It was such an incredible feeling to cross the line and get out onto the course.

With so many people to cross the start line it took us 30 minutes to get there, passing Roy Gayle who does the warm ups at The MoonWalk, on the way. It was such an incredible feeling to cross the line and get out onto the course.

All the way to South Shields we were supported by bands, crowds and hoards of kids all wanting one of our balloons! It was such a humbling site to walk past runners who had given their all, those that were dressed in all sorts of costumes and the disabled being pushed by their loved ones.

Eventually, to the roars of encouragement from all the spectators, we reached mile 12 and turned the corner along the sea front and headed for home! 800m, 400m, 200m and there it was the finish line! Hurray! Everyone in the Walk the Walk team who started, finished the course which was a great achievement. As we all sat around in the Charity Village tent drinking tea and eating bananas there was one thing for certain... we will be back next year!

Well done!

Nina, Guy, Prem, Polla, John, Sharon James and Fiona