The Great North Run is one of the events i have had thought about doing for a few years and after finally getting a place it lived up to expectations. I only booked a hotel late and as i was travelling from the Midlands found a cheap Premier Inn south of Durham. Thirty minutes drive to the Stadium of Light Metro where there was plenty of free parking. I was on the Metro at 8am and it was crowded, like a London tube in rush hour, but within 30-40 minutes I was at the start. As with all big events getting a PB is going to be hard due to the sheer numbers of people. I was lucky enough to be towards the front of the first wave and still found the route congested. Great support around most of the route and the sight of the sea before the final drop down to the home straight is a real boost for the final push along the front where the crowds are amazing. The route itself was more challenging than i had expected even though and had looked at the profile i was surprised by the uphills, but there were plenty of water stations and locals giving out ice lollies, water, oranges etc to help tiring legs. As i finished before the main masses getting back on the metro was easy and not crowded as was the drive out of Sunderland. Would I recommend - definitely. It lived up to the hype.