Great North Run

Newcastle here we come!

Here we are back in Newcastle, this time to 'Walk the Walk' at the Great North Run and the weather is amazing not a cloud in the sky!!

We are all very excited to be part of the worlds largest half marathon as we meet up with our amazing walkers outside our meeting place i.e. a pub! The fun had begun, handing out balloons, swapping stories, admiring bras and discussing what other Walk the Walk challenges  people had taken part. Bea and Michelle were so looking forward to walking their first half marathon and this encouraged others who were Walk the Walk novices

Soon it was time to make our way to the start and in true Walk the Walk tradition we created lots of attention in our brightly decorated bras singing and Oggy Oggy Oggying as we walked along the road. Nobody was left in any doubt that we were raising funds for breast cancer, in fact we could  probably be heard miles away!!!

As we warmed up, waiting to start we had another sing song and even received an applause from the crowds around us, X factor here we come! It took us quite a while to reach the start but the atmosphere was very moving and it was a great opportunity to see all the different costumes worn by the participants, we were delighted to be waved on our way by The GB Olympic Winners as we Power Walked through the official start line.

We were on our way, it is a fabulous route crossing the Tyne Bridge is so picturesque and a great time to take photos, there are a couple of small hills and all the way round the13.1 miles  the support from the Geordies is heartfelt and warm as they cheered us on, offering fruit, sweets, popsicles and had hoses at the ready in case we were too hot although we were not so sure about getting soaked by the local kids who squirted us with bottles of water whether we wanted it or not!  It was truly amazing to see the Red Arrows do what they do best, making heart shapes and painting the beautiful clear sky red, blue and white as they did their death defying dives.

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.

Before we knew it we were walking downhill to the coastline at South Shields, with the sunshine bouncing off the water- less than 2 miles left to walk with lots of people cheering us on we reached the markers 800m,500m,200m,100m and then we had finished! After collecting  medals and goody bags our walkers were congratulated and warmly welcomed into The Walk the Walk tent at the Charity Village by Kerry, Sharon and Yvonne who were waiting with not only huge congratulations but offering fantastic hospitality which included tea, coffee, juice and snacks all organic of course.

No wonder The Great North Run is a favourite in The Walk the Walk calendar!!