Great North 2007

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The Great North Run is the country’s most spectacular Half Marathon, with 50,000 runners, joggers and walkers filling the road between Newcastle and the finish in South Shields.  Many club runners are put off by the high entry cost and the impossibly congested start, but for some the race is an irresistible magnet, an atmosphere second to none and the chance to run in the same field as Paula Radcliffe.  Incredibly Steve Durose was running his 19th consecutive Great North, finishing as fresh and full of running as in his first despite nearly a year out with injury.  

Andy and Julie Masterman dominated the race from the Viking Striders point of view, Andy being first in with an excellent personal best and Julie being first lady with a season’s best.  Martin Midgley did well, but not as well as he can, in second place for the men, while Keith Wilson and Richard Anness were justifiably delighted with their times, Keith in particular running his best Half for years.  

Julie apart, the ladies stars came from further down the field.  Jo Mouncey pulled another PB from her locker and will surely break two hours next time out, while Michaela Shepherd knocked a full six minutes off her previous best.  On the subject of ladies’ stars, Sandra Brooks completed an excellent debut half marathon recently at Nottingham in 121.13, a fact totally ignored by this ageing reporter.  

Striders’ times:
Andy Masterman 81.19, Martin Midgley 84.30, Martin Booth 91.00, Julie Masterman 92.03, Kevin Sipling 102.21, Keith Wilson 103.02, Steve Durose 107.11, Richard Anness 109.29, Dave Pullman 110.37, Paul Hoggarth 118.00, Graham Walker 122.00, Jo Mouncey 124.01, Karen Mitchell and Marina Booth both 127.00, Barbara Dykes and Carren Jackson both 131.00, Michaela Shepherd 132.00, Mike Harvey (struggling with injury) 135.56.  

Guesting for the Striders on the day were Richard Driffill and Benny Moore, better known for their exploits (on and off field) with Goole RUFC but proving they can run a bit too with very creditable times of 121.00 and 127.00 respectively.

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