andrew mitchell

The Great North Run is something else in terms of mass participation events. The feeling in the north east on race day is crackers; an underlying current of excitement runs through the entire region. Public transport becomes a nightmare, pubs jack up their prices, but it’s all part of the occasion. It's a remarkable undertaking and having the world's largest half marathon pretty much on our doorstep is just wonderful.

When Emma started treatment for Bowel Cancer we spent nearly every minute at home. Chemotherapy followed by Radiotherapy sapped her of health and energy; it was tough, really tough. I decided running might help me keep it together and burn off some mental anguish so started going out at 5am before Emma woke up. Legging it around a deserted Costco, in the dead of winter, attempting not to set my neck on black ice was exactly zero fun.

With metalwork holding my left hip together training was a hell of a lot harder than I remembered it being. I've never been a running fan, despite the obvious health benefits. My training continued throughout 2025 following the tried and tested walk, run, swear, repeat technique. It did get easier but also more painful.

The hard truth is, if I push it, it absolutely knacks. I've had pain every day since my hip op, regardless of how much mobility work I do. It makes life a bit shit and this is probably why my surgeon told me not to run again.

But running has undoubtedly helped my mental health a great deal over the last year. I know it's also helped all of the amazing Team Booze members as well. And, in signing up for the Great North Run, we've received an amazing amount of donations from friends and family, near and far. Your kindness and generosity has helped us collectively raise over £6100 for MacMillan Cancer Support, a charity that helped us a huge amount throughout Emma's cancer journey.

I also had the absolute pleasure of running with my sister in law. Training with Sarah over the last few months has slowed my pace to a comfortable level and brought some of the joy that I've read about in running articles. She is, hand on heart, my second favourite person in the world; a beautiful soul who made the worst year ever much more bearable.

I'm considerably slower post surgery, but being able to complete the course with Sarah, sans headphones, taking in the claps and cheers was incredible, and seeing folks with Team Booze placards was just the best.

It was in no way my best time, but the best time was had. I'm so proud of what we have achieved. Turning a torrid time into taking positive action is important, it has power. And next year some of us will do it again and despite the rope biting pain in my hip two thirds of the way around, I'll be one them.

Thank you to each and every person who donated to this vital cause. You're all heroes. Just like every other runner out on the course on Sunday. Whether PB or last to finish, the physical and mental effort of the GNR is not to be sniffed at. But my oh my, that first pint of Stones after it. Bloody hell!

Let's just ignore the medal design balls up eh?