My Story

Great North Run 2024...

In 2018 I ran the Great North Run, followed a week later by the Great East Run in Ipswich. My mother had Multiple Sclerosis, she passed away in 2008. I chose the two runs in 2018 as I currently live in South Shields, and I used to live near Ipswich, Suffolk, with my Mum. It seemed fitting 10 years after she passed away. 

Every single day I think about Mum, I hear the last words she said to me, and I miss her.

I've gone on to meet other people with MS, or people that have family and friends with MS. I remain in awe of their strength in character and their resolve.

When the opportunity came up to run this year, I said yes without a moments thought. Some people might consider that to be an unwise decision, I'm out of shape, and I'm on a ship that doesn't have a working treadmill.

I cannot wait to line up, with sixty thousand other runners and run, walk, or crawl back to South Shields.

All I can do is thank you for reading thus far, and if you are able to donate, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and kindness.

About us

60,000 determined and dedicated runners make the AJ Bell Great North Run the World’s biggest and best half marathon – famous for its warm North East welcome, unbeatable atmosphere and the millions raised for good causes.

We’ll see runners back on the AJ Bell Great North Run, city to sea course, on Sunday as we return to our traditional finish line in South Shields. The AJ Bell Great North Run is an opportunity for us all to come together and support one another.

If you're unable to run and have to withdraw from the 2024 AJ Bell Great North Run, you have the option to defer your 2024 AJ Bell Great North Place to the next year.  You can find more information here. 

If you have any event queries, see our FAQ section here.