Jimmy from South Shields favourite run takes him in the opposite direction to the last couple of mile os the Great North Run before looping round and heading back along the coast.
I sometimes think my favourite run is like playing football in the Stadium of Light when the place is empty. Why? Well the one I do takes in part of the Great North Run route but when I do it it's always quiet, not like on race day.
I'm from South Shields, obviously famous for the GNR and Joe McElderry. I live near the Crown Pub which is near where the Great North Run finishes and on my run I head up the Coast Road in the opposite way to the run. It's good but it looks very different. I took a relative on the run recently and pointed out that we were running the opposite way to the long run in to the Great North Run finish and she didn't believe me as it's so different without the hordes of people screaming at you.
I follow the GNR route and take a right at Redwell Lane, up that hill where everyone runs down in the race and always looks in pain. After doing this though I tell you, it's much better running down it that up!
I'm from South Shields, obviously famous for the GNR and Joe McElderry. I live near the Crown Pub which is near where the Great North Run finishes and on my run I head up the Coast Road in the opposite way to the run. It's good but it looks very different. I took a relative on the run recently and pointed out that we were running the opposite way to the long run in to the Great North Run finish and she didn't believe me as it's so different without the hordes of people screaming at you.
I follow the GNR route and take a right at Redwell Lane, up that hill where everyone runs down in the race and always looks in pain. After doing this though I tell you, it's much better running down it that up!
At the top, where the roundabout is I turn left and go along Lizard Lane. This is where I go off into a world of my own. It's really straight and even though sometimes there isn't a footpath so I have to run on the road or grass I still love it. Sometimes the wind is against me, sometimes I have the pleasure of it being the other way. I've done 2 mile now and getting into my stride, enjoying myself. After what can seems like ages or minutes, depending on the day, I turn left and cut down Kitchener Road and back onto the Coast Road. It's about 3 miles now and time for the long slog home.
I think some might find the run boring as there's nothing much to look at but I love it because you can relax. It's quiet and good. So it's all the way back now. I come past the bottom of the Redwell Lane at about 4 and a half miles then do the GNR route and think about all the hundreds of thousands who have ran down here over the years. Past the GNR finish at about 5 and a half I relax down the hill and finish at the Crown and walk back up home.
It's about 6 mile altogether and its quiet and a good run. Well I like it anyway.
Click here to see a map of the run.
It's about 6 mile altogether and its quiet and a good run. Well I like it anyway.
Click here to see a map of the run.