The Great North Run 2025

After an imperfect training schedule in the lead up to the day that was a near perfect race for me. For months my running was quite inconsistent and due to a variety of reasons I could never find the consistency to my training. At the end of July, five weeks before race day I realised I need to get training. I got back into a routine that had served me well for halves and marathons previously and was building well until a week out when foot pain curtailed my last two runs around 500m in. I decided to stop and do nothing in the week leading up to the race so as not to make it worse. The plan, if the pain returned in Newcastle was to just suck it up and get through it.

My plan was to see if I could get around inside 1:55 so I wanted to set off around 5:25/km (8:45/mile). Unfortunately the pace on my watch was malfunctioning and at the same intensity was showing 4:40/km (7:30/mile) - probably around my 5km pace to 5:50km (9:20/mile) which I find very easy. I knew something wasn’t right so I settled into a pace that felt nice. Not fast but comfortable, around a 6/10. The first km clicked through under 5.00/km (8:00/mile) so I held back a bit but felt I couldn’t slow down. Due to the size of the crowds and the encouragement the distance went really quickly so the plan was out the window and the aim now to hold my pace and see what I can do. I knew at mile 11 there was a decent uphill drag that ruined me last time so the aim was to get over that and then pin my ears back and motor to the end. I felt good up until the last 2-3km (2 miles) but knew I was there. I was able to up the tempo and finish strongly but those final 800m felt like they would never end but I was able to hold 4:50km (7:45/mile) for that final section and came in with a finish time of 1:48.18, way faster than I thought I was in shape for and, although quite a bit off my PB felt a great achievement. Big change I would make if I do it again. Arrange a definite place to meet friends and family at the end as mobile signal is awful and it’s very busy.

If you have ever thought about signing up to the GNR then do it. The atmosphere is electric and it is quite an emotional time in the build up to the race joining thousands of other runners ranging from those just wanting to finish to those running at paces you can only dream of. The organisation is amazing and it is easy to navigate and regular water stations, crazy loud crowds and bands along the route it is a wonderful experience. Although there are 60,000 runners split into waves the start of the race is well controlled with a filter system that ensures you are quickly separated and running in relatively decent space.

Hopefully I haven’t put you off so get online and get in that ballot for the 2026 Great North Run.