LAST Sunday, on a cool breezy morning, England smiled and cried with pride as the largest and best organised half-marathon on the planet was ran, plodded and walked from Newcastle to South Shields.
No other run feeds the spirit of generosity, hope, courage and achievement like the Great North Run.
Before the start, giant speakers lined the sea of runners and played the hymn Abide With Me, dedicated to all the different causes.
The poignancy of this year was brought to home when at 10.38am the Red Arrows in a missing man formation flew over our heads in memory of the recent tragic loss of Flt Lt Jon Egging.
The day was celebrated in the sky as the Red Arrows showed their impressive and daring acrobatic display, appropriately signing off with a giant heart pierced with an arrow. This was the highlight of my charity events this year.
As a cancer survivor, I am running for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal. So far I have completed the Great North 10k, the York Jane Tomlinson 10K and I am yet to do a 100K bike challenge and the Scarborough McCain 10K.
Any support welcome on justgiving.com/Mike-Wash0
Mike Wash, Strensall, York.
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