Thousands Complete Biggest Ever Gateshead 10K
Members of South Shields FC were amongst the thousands of runners at the Simplyhealth Great North 10k today (9 July).
The North East’s biggest 10k run saw over 5,000 participants pound the pavements of Gateshead, and members of the FA Vase winning team were honorary starters before running the event themselves.
Before the run got underway, a minute’s applause was held for Bradley Lowery, the six-year-old Sunderland football supporter who sadly lost his battle with neuroblastoma on Friday.
This year saw a record number of runners take on a route along the scenic NewcastleGateshead Quayside, passing Sage Gateshead, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
The route also passed under the Tyne Bridge, an iconic feature of its sister event, the Simplyhealth Great North Run.
Two-hundred Gurkha recruits from Catterick Garrison gathered on the start line in their own separate wave and took on the event as part of their armed forces training.
Participants crossed the finish line on the track in the famous Gateshead International Stadium, with their family and friends watching from the stands.
The first male athlete across the line was Matty Hynes, who sprinted home in a time of 31:45.
He said: “It was a great race. I’ve had every position on the podium now and I’m really pleased to get the first.
“It’s a brilliant course and the stadium is packed today so thanks to the crowd for cheering me over the finish line.”
In the women’s race, Sarah Laverty of Edinburgh AC claimed victory in 37:28.
She said: “There was a really good atmosphere. Lots of people coming the other way were even shouting for each other, so the atmosphere was great.”
Families and young runners enjoyed the Simplyhealth Great North 10k Toddler Dash and Family Run.
Over 100 children up to the age of three completed 70 metres on the athletics track inside Gateshead International Stadium, and up to 400 people took on a one mile route around the stadium in the Family Run.
Colin Murphy, project director at the Simplyhealth Great North 10k Gateshead, said: “2017 is another record year for the Simplyhealth Great North 10k Gateshead, with almost 6,000 adults, toddlers and families crossing the finish line inside Gateshead International Stadium.
“The event is a special day in the region’s running calendar, and the return of the Gurkhas once again made it a day to remember.”
Raman Sankaran, chief commercial officer at Simplyhealth, said: “It’s amazing to see so many #millionsmoving. Movement is the key to better everyday health.
“Well done to every single finisher today – keep on moving!”
To find out more visit greatrun.org/north10k
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