The Great North Run!....

...the worlds most popular half marathon. And with entries numbering more than 50000 for the last few years, that popularity is unlikely to decline any time soon.
This was to be my 3rd running of the event (did 2007 and 2008 races), and for once, i was quite confident of doing well. Summer training had gone well, the memories of last race were fading (where everyone bar the winner got lost in the Hamsterley Forest trail race!), and the weather was kind.
With warm-ups completed, the race was started by Sting of all people, and everyone hared off. With athletes roughly segregated by ability, there were few problems with crowding, and i was able to get a good start. The Tyne Bridge was as usual packed with people, and you can't help but feel great as thousands cheer you on. Not to mention the amount of local bands (including one Elvis impersonator), who play a merry soundtrack as you run past. As it was, i may have set off too fast. I reached halfway in 43 minutes exactly, and one mile later the legs began to lose some strength. But then the spirit of DUAXC began to take over, and i decided that getting to the finish as quickly as possible was probably a good route to take.
The final mile of the run is along the seafront, with the biggest crowds watching. It feels like the longest mile ever, due to it being totally straight and also the fact that running 12 miles beforehand does take something out of you. Nevertheless, one final push saw me get home in 1 hour 28 minutes and 59 seconds in 474th place. With that time, i beat my PB by 40 seconds, and also beat last years time by 3 minutes.
Two other results to take note of from past and present Durham Uni people: Nick Rooke put in a quite fantastic performance, running the course in 1:12:21 to come 42nd overall, whilst Katy Morrison completed the course in 1:43:45 to finish 3329th.
I do realise that many others may have done the race as well who i have forgotten. Feel free to send in details of your results. But for now, i can't wait for the start of term and the new season. See you all there!