Celebrities lap up big race experience

Sep 21 2009 by The Journal

FAMOUS faces of stage, screen and sport joined the Lycra-clad throng of enthusiastic runners yesterday.

All eager to do their bit, there was no time for diva behaviour as they joined the masses on the streets – and in the queues for the Portaloos.

Making the biggest entrance of the day was Phillip “Pants Man” Taylor of The Apprentice who turned out complete with cape and mask.

Supported by girlfriend and the BBC series’ runner-up, Kate Walsh, Phillip, from West Cornforth, County Durham, clearly couldn’t wait to celebrate at the end of the day.

“I’m very excited and I will celebrate later with one pint – or 10!” he said.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and wife Tanya, both running for the Scottish Spina Bifida Association, said they were each going to finish in their own time.

“We don’t cook together so we certainly won’t be running together,” said Gordon before the race.

“Running a half-marathon is nothing after 10 London Marathons but owing to the recent financial crisis charities have suffered it’s important to raise the profile of good causes.”

Speaking about the Sport Relief feat of comedian Eddie Izzard,” he said:

“What Eddie Izzard has done, completing 43 marathons in 51 days, is extraordinary – I don’t know how he’s still fat!”

Taking an entirely different approach were Eastenders love-birds Joe Swash and Kara Tointon, who played brother and sister duo Mickey Miller and Dawn Swann in the soap, and were running for Christian Aid.

“We’re going to try and stick together throughout the race,” said Joe, while Kara added: “We had planned to follow a vigorous training regime but it didn’t quite happen!”

Keen runner and political spin-doctor Alistair Campbell, explained why he had turned out for the sixth time in a row.

He said: “Every time I have come the weather has been great. The city of Newcastle has improved so much in recent years and the atmosphere is always fantastic.”

Meanwhile, sports presenter and former footballer, Ray Stubbs, taking part in his 14th Great North Run, couldn’t hide his admiration for the thousands of runners who turn out each year for the event. Running for the Lily Foundation, which conducts research into Mitochondrial disease and other metabolic disorders, in memory of a friend’s daughter, he said: “I started taking part in 1996 and it is a nice little stroll around the North East.

“It gives you lots of time to think and put things into perspective – year in year out I am knocked out by the inspiring stories of the people doing it.”

TV presenter Ben Fogle, doing it for hedgehogs everywhere, was out to have fun but he had a serious message too.

“I do a lot of work for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and especially at this time of year coming up to bonfire night we need to raise awareness,” he said. “It is a small charity but with a big mouth and I always like to support the underdog.”