Singer On The Run With Great North Run Song
Local songstress Anna Reay has released a song dedicated to those running the Simplyhealth Great North Run this year with all proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK.
Anna, who decided to create the song ‘Sunset on the Tyne’ when she signed up to the world’s biggest half marathon, lives in Whickham in Gateshead and has been singing all of her life.
She studied music at Gateshead College and at the University of Sunderland before her career started with her performing backing vocals for a North East band.
She will be running the event, on Sunday 10 September, in memory of her close friend’s father who passed away after a battle with Prostate Cancer.
Anna is proud of the North East, calling it the ‘best place on Earth’ and decided that when she signed up to take on the 13.1 miles she wanted to create a song to commemorate her experience.
Anna said: “I’ve never done the Simplyhealth Great North Run before and I’m not going to lie – I’m terrified but still very excited to be part of the famous half marathon.
“I agreed to do it with my life long friend Helen Watson who’s Dad sadly passed last year.
“We’re running with her two brothers Ian and David and want to raise as much money as possible for Prostate Cancer UK. Already there is some competition brewing for the best time but I’ll just be glad to make it through it in one piece!
“When I agreed to do the event I felt so passionate about it.
“All the stories behind the reasons people are running really inspired me to write the lyrics for this new song.”
Anna and guitarist Deon Krishnan wrote the song and were joined in the recording studio by other band members Stu Haikney on drums, Steve Whitfield on keyboard, piper Andrew Davison and Peter Tickell on the fiddle, who has just finished touring with Sting.
Anna will join 57,000 others for the Simplyhealth Great North Run, making their way from Newcastle to South Shields, passing over the iconic Tyne Bridge and experiencing spectator support like no other.
Anna added: “I think anyone who has lived or visited the North East could relate to Sunset on the Tyne.
“It is about the North East, the Great North Run, family and love.
“This wasn’t something I was familiar with so it sat on the back burner for a while, until I was inspired by the event and an afternoon in South Shields actually watching a lovely sunset on the Tyne!
I was so emotional when I heard the magic Peter added to the song. I filled up twice and was covered in goosebumps in the studio.
“I just couldn’t get over how much he transformed the track. I loved everything he played and I’m just so grateful to have him involved.”
For more information about how to download Sunset on the Tyne, visit: annareay.co.uk/
For more information on the Simplyhealth Great North Run, visit: Greatrun.org/North
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