I have done The Great North Run 3 times I think. I actually think it is overacted as the crowds re indifferent to the runners and not very big apart from the end. Any way as many will remember The Great North Run used to be sponsored by BUPA. Guess what the former Finance Director of BUPA, Ed Lee used to be a good mate of mine and he was also a runner. His son Mathew was a good friend of mine too.Ed had been involved with the event over the years and when he came to retire from BUPA he was given the honour running with the number 1 on his vest. Very kindly he offered Liz and I a chance to join his VIP experience and so a truly remarkable weekend followed.
We went up to Newcastle on the Saturday and stayed in a very nice hotel courtesy of BUPA. In the evening we had dinner with Brendon Foster. He was delightful company and we all got on well. On the morning of the race we were taken to the start by limousine and dropped off at the start line with all the top athletes and celebrities. I cannot find it but I had a picture taken with Kipchoge Keino comparing our guts-I won. I got to meet Satus Quo who were setting up their instruments before playing the runners through. And wait for it I got to shake hands with the ‘unofficial starter’ Jimmy Saville-oops.
Starting at the front was in fact nearly a disaster ashore the next couple of hours all I experienced was runners overtaking me. At the start it was rather crazy.
Having completed the course I had a large glass of red wine with Paula Radcliffe and had a nice chat with David Coleman. A good day out. Thanks Ed.!
Tales of a Life Well Lived 