In a weekend that saw Kelvin Kiptum shatter the men’s marathon record 7 JJ’s took the journey to Kielder for the marathon and half marathon races.

The marathon course takes a clockwise circuit around the fringes of Kielder Reservoir. Starting at the Lakeside  Park the route follows the lakeshore trail through the forest. Runners head first towards Kielder village then towards the dam and return to the start finish area. The trails are undulating with a stiff 650 metres of climbing.

After a damp start the skies cleared and runners enjoyed unseasonably warm conditions on the race. Kielder looked its best with the forest  taking on its autumn colours.

The marathon has a nasty sting in its tail with most of the climbing in the last 10k. After that it was a relief to finally arrive back at the start/finish for a well earned medal and rest. The marathon claims to be “Britain’s most Beautiful” and some runners were stopping to photograph and enjoy the scenery others were simply struggling to keep moving.

The first JJ to finish was Paul O’Connor in a great time of 4.20.07 followed by Cliff Veitch running his 10th and slowest Kielder marathon a week after having had covid in 4.27.39.  Next across the line was Sophie Reynolds continuing her good form in 4.45.28 boosted by cheers on the course from her mum.  Anthony Harland was close on her heels in 4.45.32  followed by Rachel Gee completing her first ever marathon in an amazing time of 4.55.50

The half marathon starts on the Kielder dam and after looping back on itself follows the marathon route along the lakeshore trails to the finish. It’s a tough hilly course and rather muddy. Not one for a half marathon PB although some runners were seen to be wearing Vaporflys. Jonny Greenwell burned off his Saturday night beers in an impressive 30th place with a time of 1.33.35. Anna Doherty ran strongly and finished in a great time 1.49.31.

Kielder marathon:
Paul O’Connor 4.20.07 position 188
Cliff Veitch 4.27.39 position 234
Sophie Reynolds 4.45.28 position 330
Anthony Harland 4.45.32 position 332
Rachel Gee 4.55.50 position 398
[621 finishers]

Kielder half marathon
Jonny Greenwell 1.33.35 position 30
Anna Doherty 1.49.31 position 143
[757 finishers]

Cliff Veitch

Cliff Veitch

As the runners lined up, ready to smash this iconic run #oneMotime, the colours in the starting pens from all the different running clubs and charities from across the world were an absolute sight to behold. From far and wide, for every reason imaginable, people had descended into our small city to share in the biggest experience that is the Great North Run. Many of the JJs were running in club colours, but an equal amount opting for the vests of charities close to their hearts after collectively raising thousands of pounds; all worn with great pride and purpose.

Spirits remained high on the initial downhill section after Eddie Howe started the race. The rapturous cheers of the crowd boosting the energy levels, and the classic echoing chants of “Oggy Oggy Oggy, Oi Oi, Oi” through the motorway flyovers uniting and entwining the JJs in and amongst the other 60,000 runners! From the safety of shade, it was out into the relentless sunshine ready for the crossing of the North Easts most iconic structure. Supporting JJs lined the pavements beneath the green arches, audible amongst the deafening swathes of onlookers, sending the runners into Gateshead and beyond with an immeasurable sense of pride and focus. The Red arrows soared overhead, painting their trademark Red, White and Blue smoke in the clear blue skies over The Tyne.

Into Gateshead the reality of the conditions started to set in for many, with the heat of the day becoming apparent after the first uphill onto the Felling bypass. However, in true Geordie style the noise lined dual carriageway never faltered in delivering the warmest, friendliest and world-renowned Northeast welcome. Ice pops, oranges, peaches, jelly babies, pints of beer and (more race appropriate)– water, were handed out on mass. The ingenuity of the residents of South Tyneside, repurposing garden hoses and pressure washers into makeshift mist showers certainly was welcome relief to the sweltering JJs. Even the odd water pistol fired directly to the face was an unusually pleasant experience! Very sensibly, many members recognised that the day did not lend itself to PBs and pace pushing, but more to absorbing in as much of the incredible atmosphere as possible and making the goal to just cross the finish line.

As the dual carriageway meandered on towards Jarrow the sun seemed to beat down ever more, but the heartbeat of the Northeast was beating stronger! The music played louder, the support grew in size, every roundabout bursting with colour and sound more vibrant than the last. The streets lined with hands stretched out for a high five and a morale boost; much needed in the build up towards the insidious incline towards mile 11! JJs showed their true spirit in stopping to help a runner in need for over 30 minutes until paramedics could arrive, a fantastic display of sportsmanship and community. Well done to Becky, Beth and Ben for making sure that the person was ok helping till the paramedics arrived.

As the route reached its final stages, the mental model of “it must be downhill to the seaside” will have struck many as not playing out true, as the route climbs ever more into the outskirts of South Shields. It’s around here where Joe Kirtley opted not to adopt the Paula Radcliffe ‘excrete on the streets’ method and instead made a fateful portaloo stop that would cost him the JJs title. Finally, the tantalising, refreshing, salty seabreeze greeted the runners on the descent to the South Shields shoreline; many weary tired legs and knees not prepared for the steep downhill. A sharp left turn points you to the finish line, supposedly waiting just one mile away. Emotion and relief overwhelm you at this point as the markers count down the final 800m. Nothing can prepare you for drowning and deafening decibel levels on this home straight, as with each stride you realise what has just been achieved, against all odds.

The finish line showcased some incredible moments this year, with Kate Winstanley claiming a PB and beating her Sub 2hr target, Calvin Marsland flying across the line, taking advantage of Joe Kirtley’s earlier toilet troubles, with the JJs fastest time of the day and also a PB in 1:28:05, and Jake Archer unexpectedly crossing the line on four wheels rather than two legs, making for the most legendary photo in JJs history and one for the hall of fame. (He has thankfully made a very speedy recovery but has decided not to purchase the photo!) 2023 saw several people complete their first Great North Run including Sophie Blair, Hannah Wilson and Michael Crowe. I’m sure the infectious energy and atmosphere already has you raring to go again for next year! Every finish and attempt was celebrated beneath the brilliant Red Arrows display, after the most challenging Great North Run to date, as conditions truly were out of character for the Northeast. The deluge later in the day also making the journey home just as difficult as the journey out to the coast!

One thing that wasn’t out of character was the spirit of NorthEast. The Great North Run is the world’s largest half marathon, and for one day the world is given a snapshot and insight into what makes this corner of the UK so special: it’s people. The cheers and support of the crowds lining the street for the entire 13 miles, the sheer determination and perseverance shown by 60,0000 runners in challenging conditions, and the generosity, kindness and empathy shown by volunteers and complete strangers to one another, all make this event truly world class.

The weather on the day is perhaps the perfect metaphor for how the Great North Run 2023 should be remembered; The sunshine optimism from the start may have been washed away in the deluge, but once the clouds clear, and you have time to reflect; no matter what happened, against all the odds, you were a part of something bigger, part of something that people travel across the world to experience. A true display of Geordie pride. An event rather than a race. You’re left with that ever-growing sense of pride that the spectacle of the world’s largest half marathon, quite literally on your doorstep, truly does put on the greatest show on earth, and as a JJ you are at the beating heart of this endearing, infectious, loveable, warm, inviting, undeniably Canny City that we all have the pleasure and privilege to call home.

Calvin Marsland

116th Cliff Veitch 00:33:33 V55 8th /29

121st Simon Wells 00:33:57 V50 8th /32

143rd Geoff Blair 00:34:59 V60 4th /16

274th Kari Marie Best 00:40:58 V45 16th /37

The JJs took to the 2-lap Swim, followed by a 2-lap run course which was 50% slip and slide mud mixed with 50% gravel and road. Not the conditions for running PBs however Louise and Emma defied the conditions and ran their hearts out for two HM PBs.

4th – Andrew Heide
Swim 32:36
Transition 01:35
Run 1:20:23
Overall 1:54:38

80th – Emma Curtis
1900m Swim 32:34
Transition: 02:15
Half Marathon: 1:56:39 PB
Overall: 2:31:28

81st – Jayne Oswald
1900m Swim 33:22
Transition: 03:00
Half Marathon: 1:55:06

Well done to our former members for their results too

11th – Rob Kingston 2:02:55

30th – Louise McLeman 2:11:11 (1:32:18 HM PB)

by Andrew Heide

In the Half marathon, Simon Baker run a great time of 1:50;42 with Martyn Collins running his second half marathon in a week with a faster time of 1:59:01 beating his time at Gateshead Half seven days before. A special mention to our second claim member Andrew Heide who finished 12th in 1:19:54, showing that his injury problems are hopefully behind him.

Well done JJs.

10km

31st Thomas Jake Archer 00:37:14 20th Snr M

228th Kate Winstanley 00:46:31 29th Snr W. PB

418th Graeme Leathard 00:52:06 58th M50

509th Eleanor Nicklin 00:53:39 66th Snr W

Half Marathon

325th Simon Baker 01:50:42 76th M40

486th Martyn Collins 01:59:01 78th M50

The course started alongside Gateshead stadium, running down through an industrial estate until hitting the quayside. The route wiggled along the quayside towards Dunston, looping back and across the swing bridge and back again before heading back up some killer hills towards the stadium. The routes parted with the 10k route running into the stadium where Rachel Dee finished strong with an impressive finish. The remaining JJ’s carried on back down the hill for a second loop.

Kate W and I were positioned strategically in the middle of the Swing Bridge and the runners had to run past us six times. We thoroughly enjoyed cheering everyone on, and gave out many a high 5 and a clapped on every running club.  Some clubs were more difficult than others and we found cheering “well done, no club running club” particularly challenging.

However our challenge was no mean feat for the 5 JJ’s who had some impressive runs from Rachel, Rhys, Matty, Anthony and Martyn who tolerated our overly enthusiastic cheers six times.

Well done for all runners finishing today on a particularly hilly course in very wet conditions.

10k
191st Rachel Dee 50:29. 21st SnrW. PB

Half marathon
143rd Matty Down 1:37:52. 9th M55
196th Rhys Minchin 1:41:33. 86th SnrM
474th Anthony Harland 1:53:52. 195th SnrM
690th Martin Collingwood 2:08:02 41st M50

Sophie Reynolds

1/5/23

After months of training and getting themselves in shape, the day had finally come. The five JJs were ready for ‘The London’ marathon.

With various different starts and wave starts it meant that most of the JJs didn’t see each other before the race. With journeys to the start by train, it was a chance to chat to fellow runners and one who was running bare foot. With just flip flops and his running kit, he wasn’t envied by his fellow travellers.  Louis and Simon were on the same start and met to discuss targets and tactics in the start area.

With the rain threatening, the start was warmly welcomed and the JJs set off in the drizzle and a wall of noise.  The Londoners were out in force, even with the rain, cheering on the runners.  Only Simon had done the London Marathon before, 23 years previously, and he was stunned by the cacophony of noise, not just at the main watching points of the Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge, the Embankment, Birdcage Walk and the Mall but all around the course. It was emotional and inspiring to be running through the crowd and the noise.  Sophie noted after the race that it was the best race crowds that she had ever experienced and those she passed running as fridges, radiators and golf bags, were surely people who had lost bets!

Louis stormed off at a good pace and stunned by the number of shouts of ‘Jesmond’ in a race.  David said that one of water stations someone shouted ‘I hope that’s Geordie Jesmond?’  With the sign of ‘Howay the lads’ in Canary Wharf, the JJs felt at home. Louis went off fast and admitted afterwards, maybe to fast, and hit that mythical wall but still was first JJ home in an inspiring 2:50:51. With his mantra of ‘smile every mile even if each one is harder than the last’, it got him round in a very respectable time.

Simon was the next JJ off, going slightly quicker than target pace, the emotion of the day getting the better of him but staying within a target time he had set. The wall was coming, and as he passed Andrew H and Jayne Oswald, he shouted grimly that this was going to be the hardest 7 miles. It was, and he gamely hung on with shooting pains in his foot from around 8/9 miles to record 3:34:57. It was great to see Joe Inns and his girlfriend around the course and at most unexpected points on the course where he needed to see a friendly face to cheer him on.

Sophie had a stormer, but at 22 miles got stomach cramps, and had nothing left as the dreaded wall caught up with her. Sophie is not one to give up and with not much left in the tank she still got round to record a PB of 3mins with a time of 4:09:04.

Gerry was next JJ home and with a smile and the shout of a man ringing in her ears of ‘these are miles on our health!’ Gerry took in the sights and sounds and the highlight being drag queens cheering her on and as she kept on telling herself to run the mile you are in; another respectable time was clocked up with Gerry coming home in 4:26:04.

David brought up the rear and was rather disappointed that they had moved the wall in his race to Tower Bridge, he enjoyed the day and experience to record a great time of 5:01:36.

The London Marathon is a race that is unique. A race where all humanity gathers to test their endurance and pain threshold. The ballot is open for the 2024 race and I think we wall and the JJs competing this weekend would highly recommend it. The ballot closes on the 28th April this year.

An amazing and emotional race and fantastic performances by all the JJs.

1546th Louis Gardner 960th M18-39 02:50:51

9913th Simon Wells 801st M50-54 03:34:57

21126th Sophie Reynolds 3135th F18-39 04:09:53

25934th Gerry Rowland 4122nd F18-39 04:26:04 PB

35832nd David Newman 779th M60-64 05:01:36