Our blocks run for 10 weeks starting…

Tues 5th August, 6:30pm & 6:45pm - Beginners, Intermediate / Advanced
Thur 7th August, 6:30pm - Beginners, Intermediate
Sat 9th August, 10am - Advanced 1 / Advanced 2

Our recipient of the 2007 achiever of the year award was Carol Hepburn pictured hear receiving her award from Margaret Deas.
Throughout the year, Carol has stuck to her goals, and has been an inspiration to others by showing the determination to achieve what she has set out to do.
Well Done CAROL!!

On the morning of the race, we all left at 8.00am to head for a Metro Park and Ride facility on the northern edge of Newcastle. At the Metro Station, the platform was crowded with jittery runners and tired looking relatives/supporters. It took three attempts to get on a train and therefore by the time I managed to squeeze into a carriage at my third attempt it was getting close to 9.30am. As everyone got out at Haymarket Station in the centre of Newcastle, there was a surge of people going in one direction, to the start line.

I got to the start line around 10.15am, just in time to hear Bobby Robson (ex England and Newcastle Football Manager) start the race. Managed to see a bit of that on the big screen which is positioned close to the start of the race. Getting into the assembly area was a battle and I ended up at the back of the group. Anyway I was in position and ready to go. I then realised that I was one of thousands in the middle of a duel carriageway in the centre of Newcastle. The atmosphere was electric, there was a great sense of anticipation mixed in with nerves and excitement. Then, the crowd in front of me started to move forward and we were off!! Well not exactly running, but walking very slowly forward towards the start line. It took around 20 minutes to get from the initial assembly area to the start line. The cheer as we all went through the start line was incredible and we all had to smile for the camera.

For the first mile or so there are four lanes of runners jockeying for positions. There were the usual runners who were in a hurry and others who had stopped already to catch their breath. As the route flowed up and down through Newcastle City Centre and towards the Tyne Bridge there was a group song and chanting, everyone was in such high spirits. Approaching the Tyne Bridge gave me goose pimples, as normally I am watching the race on the TV wishing that I could be in the race and more to the point wishing that I was fit enough to take part in such a race. And there I was running over the bridge with the eyes of the BBC on me.

After the Tyne Bridge, nearly two miles into the run, I decided to try and apply my race plan, which was to try and stick to nine minute miles for at least the first 6 miles. The three mile marker was Gateshead Stadium and I was beginning to settle in to a rhythm and a quick look at my watch told me I was at 27 minutes. Great I was on target!!!

Between the 4 mile marker and the 6 mile marker, the crowds at the side of the road began to thin down but the crowds of people that were running the race was incredible. There was very little room to manoeuvre and when you see one person making a break through the crowds of runners, many people tried to follow. I found two reasonable runners to tag along with and kept following them through the crowds. It was a wee game of cat and mouse, but it kept my pace up and I was concentrating on either following them or keeping in front of them.

At the half way marker, a reggae band was playing, there was a drinks stop and a big clock telling you what your time was. I was doing well 58 minutes gone and half way to the finish. There is a slight incline between the 7 mile marker and the 10 mile marker, but just before 8 miles the music blasting out of a bank of speakers was, ‘Can’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time!!’ Yes it was Queen blasting out for all to hear.

Climbing up to the 12 mile marker was the point at which my legs were tiring, my time was getting worse, I was running out of water and feeling quite sorry for myself. However at the top of the incline, with massive crowds of support, the sight of a pub and then a steep downwards section, I was off again. After the 12 mile marker, you see the sea and you know you are nearly there. The last mile did feel like two or three miles because of the tired legs, but this section is very flat and the roars from the crowds allow you to keep moving. The finish line is a wee bit complicated there are different lanes which you are ushered into and your time is recorded. After the finish line it is chaos, there are so many people and the family reunion area is massive. Just as I got the reunion area, the Red Arrows flew over the finishing area, it was a great end to a great race.

The important thing for me was that I enjoyed the race, the atmosphere and the occasion and I also took 2 minutes off my Glasgow Half Marathon time.

My rating for runners running in the Great North Run 10 out of 10. My rating for those trying to get to the finish line to see you complete the run 1 out of 10. My advice is ensure that those who are supporting you head straight for the finish line around 10.00am and then after the race enjoy South Shields taking in a few hostelries as you have a long wait trying to get back to Newcastle.

At the finish line

(For more photos see roadrunpics.com)

The training had been good fun. 3 months ago following an article in the Cumbernauld News I ventured along to my first training session at Chryston - alone - Billy No Mates. I didn’t need to worry, every one was very welcoming and i settled in quickly. Such was my enthusiasm that I told everyone about my new pursuit, and shortly afterwards I was accompanied by Jackie (my daughter), Bruce (her boyfriend) and Kevin (a friend). Everyone at Chryston encouraged each other, towards our one goal - the 10K. At home my wife Liz made it quite clear there was no giving up - after all I just spent our hard earned cash on brand new running shoes!

The run was due to start at 10am, so we arrived at Broadwood Stadium at 9.30 in preparation. The usual Sunday breakfast of Bacon Rolls had been banished and I had consumed the obligatory banana instead! Quickly we met up with some of the others from Chryston, and all chatted about the run - everyone agreed time didn’t matter, just finishing is what matters! The morning was dry and overcast, so probably ideal for what we were doing. Some of us were familiar with the route as we had completed a practice run over the course several weeks before. This really helped and although I didn’t tell the others, I was determined to beat my previous time of 62 minutes!

Before setting off i had a quick look around and noticed there was the full range of runners, from complete beginners to obviously some professionals - almost 400 runners in total.

Just after 10am, the run set off initially skirting the edge of Broadwood Loch, quite scenic but lets concentrate on the matter in hand! I linked up with one of the other runners from Chryston and as is my reputation chatted non stop for the first 20 minutes or so. This probably annoys the hell out of others, but it takes my mind off the running! After the loch we ploughed up several gradual inclines (not hills apparently!) and seemed to be making good time. I kept going and deliberately pushed myself a bit faster than i was used to and after about 40 minutes arrived back at the loch. The route then concluded with a 3KM run round the edge of the loch which was a bit disconcerting as it meant running away from the stadium and finishing line rather than towards it. By now my legs were feeling quite weary and it was a case of gritting teeth for the last stretch - the crowd and stewards were great in their encouragement. The final run up to the finishing line was great as the larger crowds cheered us in. - 54 minutes! I was delighted!

At the finish line

Everyone did really well and there was great relief as we all collected our mementos, took photographs and relayed our stories. It really did feel like a great achievement, and I think we all felt quite proud!

We had all achieved our goal, now we can chuck this madness in and relax,…. but hold on, didn’t somebody mention a 10K coming up at Strathclyde Park - Oh! No! have we got the bug?!

Andy Locke

(All Cumbernauld 10k results can be found here)