Runners motivated by the bad times

Sep 21 2009 By The Journal

AFTER months of training for the gruelling half marathon, entrants to yesterday’s Great North Run had one more preparation to make before they set off.

Surrounded by the buzz and excitement of the start line, runners took two minutes to collect their thoughts and think about the good causes that were to motivate them on their trek from Newcastle to South Shields.

For some, the reason for doing the half marathon was poignantly marked with a photograph of a loved one printed on their T-shirt, while others collected change for a cause close to their hearts.

Among the many charities that were represented in the race was Cancer Research UK, which had a team of 2,750 men and women taking part.

Many runners were cancer survivors themselves, with others completing the course in memory of loved ones who lost their lives to the disease.

Liam Montgomery, 37, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, ran in memory of his dad Sean, who died at the age of 51 in 1993, just two weeks after he was diagnosed.

Sean had been feeling increasingly unwell and went to see his GP for a check-up. The doctor referred him for further tests which confirmed he had advanced stomach cancer.

Liam, who was only 20 at the time, said: "Losing Dad so suddenly devastated the whole family. He had been feeling unwell for a while, but we never for one moment expected it to be something so serious.

"After losing my dad to cancer, as soon as I got my place in the Great North Run, I knew right away that I wanted to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

"Taking on this challenge, and supporting Cancer Research UK, is my way of paying tribute to my dad, and doing my bit to help at the same time."