Event reaches pinnacle

Jul 14 2010 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

BRENDAN Foster believes Haile Gebrselassie’s participation in the Great North Run marks the pinnacle of the event’s 30-year history.

The run continues to go from strength to strength, a point emphasised by the assembly of athletics royalty at the Great North Museum to launch the event in shimmering North East sunshine.

Crouching beside race organiser Foster, a European champion and Olympic medallist, to promote the event was arguably the greatest long-distance runner of all-time in Gebrselassie and sprinting icon Michael Johnson, who was in the North East to film a documentary about the event.

It was some arsenal of athletic talent to mark the 30th year of a half marathon which has embedded itself in the North East’s sporting consciousness.

Foster said: “It is finally a dream come true to have Haile coming for the race after his injury when defending his Olympic title in Sydney saw him have to withdraw.

“I remember the disappointment on his face when we made the announcement at a press conference there, but he immediately insisted one day he would compete in the Great North Run.

“Yes, we have had to be patient and wait because over the years other commitments, particularly autumn marathon,s have prevented his participation.

“Now it is going to happen and I am delighted as is everyone else involved in the organisation of the race.

“We have enjoyed seeing many of the best long-distance runners from around the world compete here and now we have the greatest of all-time.”

For his part, Gebrselassie is delighted to find himself back in the North East.

He said: “It is an area I love. I have run once in the North-East, in the Durham Cross-Country.

“ I won the race in 1994 but all I remember is that it was cold and there was snow above my ankles. Hopefully, things will be a bit different in September!

“I know the place. I know the Newcastle team, especially related to Alan Shearer.

“I know the club have just come back to the top league and that is wonderful. It is a big club to have had that kind of problem, so it is nice they are back.”

Although elite talent invariably hogs the headlines, the event is about much more than that.

Forty thousands entrants of varying abilities will run and jog a course which is challenging but also addictive.

Twenty runners who have competed in every race since its inception in 1980 were present at yesterday’s launch, mingling with Johnson and Gebrselassie.

There is also a thriving cultural programme that runs beside the athletics. This year the Great North Museum hosts an exhibition featuring some of the great artefacts from the race’s history.

MARK DOUGLAS