Tracing footsteps of world's best race
Apr 26 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal
THE Bupa Great North Run has become a highlight of the year for thousands of people – especially fundraisers – across the region and beyond.
Crowds line the streets between Newcastle’s most famous icon the Tyne Bridge and the course finish line in South Shields.
But the event that has become the world’s biggest half-marathon came from humble beginnings, after former Olympian Brendan Foster came up with the idea.
The first Great North Run took place on Sunday, June 28, 1981 and it was expected that less than 5,000 people would take part.
However, more than 12,500 applied to take part in the inaugural race. More than 10,000 of the applicants completed the 13.1-miles, including the first winner Elswick Harrier and Olympic medallist Mike McLeod, who crossed the finish line in 63 minutes and 23 seconds.
This year, Leanne Symonds, 32, of Cramlington, Northumberland, became the race’s millionth entrant and she will join more than 50,000 people at the start line to this year’s event on October 5. Runners in all the collective 27 Bupa Great North Runs have clocked up more than 9,557,812 miles between them and it is estimated that between eight and £10 million is raised each year for charities chosen by them.
In 2006, Cancer Research UK, had 2,375 runners, raising around £500,000, the most money raised during the event’s history, followed by Marie Curie Cancer Care, with 4,000 runners raising £400,000 and Leukaemia Research, with 1,100 runners raising £350,000.
As well as national research groups and societies, thousands of pounds are also raised for good causes in the region, including St Oswald’s Hospice, in Gosforth, Newcastle, and St Clare’s Hospice, Jarrow, South Tyneside.
Race founder Brendan Foster said: “It’s impossible to put a figure on how much has been raised over the 27 years the race has existed, which is absolutely wonderful.
“I would say the event could have generated funds of well over £100 million but it really is just unquantifiable and the generosity of everyone taking part and donating to all the worthy causes over the years has been phenomenal.”
The Great North Run has also featured more than 20 Olympic gold medallists and was one of the first events in the country to provide fine-spray showers on a half marathon route. There are now three along the course.
It is also the biggest annual weekend for tourism in the region, with every postcode in the country being represented on the start line.
