Great North Run, 10 Sep 2023

This was my 4th Great North Run, but this year I had qualified for the Fast-Paced Club Runners section after completing the Edinburgh Half Marathon earlier this year in under 90 minutes.

The week leading up to the race was the hottest of the year and looking at the weather forecast beforehand, it didn’t look like the temperature was going to drop much, so I knew it would be difficult.

I drank a lot of electrolytes and water on my way to the race but when I was warming up, I still felt like I was thirsty as it was so warm and humid, it doesn’t help that you are then packed into a holding pen with 60,000 other warm bodies!

The race started well as it was mainly downhill and I completed the first 5k in under 21 minutes, but after that it became difficult. I went through all of the water sprinklers to keep myself cool but it just felt like an uphill struggle the whole way and I could see my pace dropping. I just wanted to get to the end and kept looking ahead, putting one foot in front of the other. Usually, I enjoy the crowds, the music and the fancy dress but this time, I just wanted to finish! It was a boost seeing my running club at the water station between miles 8 and 9 but it still felt like a long way to go after that! The last mile seemed to go on forever and they had a trick finish line with a sudden right turn off the road to finish on the grass.

I finished 3 minutes slower than I had the year before so was disappointed with my time but I was pleased not to be one of the runners were getting escorted off course because of heat stroke or exhaustion!

Sarah Hunter