The Great North 10k attracted over twelve thousand runners this year. One of the most popular lengths for road races, it’s a distance that demands full commitment. If you’re racing, it’s one hundred percent for more than six miles; you’re chasing the clock and you’re chasing athletes ahead of you while attempting to stay ahead of the pack behind you. There’s little time to take in the scenery and landmarks.
For those others with time to look up from the tarmac, the Great North 10k route is an advert for the centre of Newcastle. The course weaves its way through the Newcastle University campus, Northumberland Street, Grey’s Monument and the Tyne Bridge before finishing next to the Town Moor.
Morpeth Harriers Robert Balmbra was first in for the club in 27th (35m:14s), James Higgin 34th (35m.23s) and Richard Hall 99th (37m:55s). Daniel Craig was 17th and 7th U20 (38m:08s). Mike Winter finished in 42m:58s and Ryan McGee crossed the line in 43m.33s. Ben Swinney’s 44m.25s was a 4 minute improvement on his time at the recent Morpeth 10k. Liam Ramsey ran 47m.09s and Julie Roche, who is having a fruitful season, finished as 151st female in a time of 48m:03s.
Report by Alistair MacDonald