This was the 3rd time I have run the GNR and I plan to run it again in 2020. It's a unique event that is worth doing for the crowd support alone, it is constant from start to finish and they keep you go.

The course starts in Newcastle city centre, which makes it easy to get to, and follows the road out through Gateshead and into South Shields, then onto the sea front. I think it's fair to say the only 'scenery' of note is when you run down the hill onto the last mile and you see the sea for the first time. I always find a second breath at this point.

The aid stations are well stocked and the volunteers plentiful so getting what you want and away again isn't an issue. 

Only 2 slight down sides this year. The first was the lack of the red arrows flying by at the start and doing a show at the finish. I appreciate this was out of the control of the event and I have experienced it in the past.

The second was that when I got to the finish the funnels didn't seem to be opened quick enough and it led to a bit of a scrum at the finish with people trying to push forward to get their chips across the finish line. It was, however quickly dealt with and the crowd split up before it got too tight.

Overall, an immensely enjoyable run even if I was nowhere near a PB again.