A great turnout at the 2023 Great North Run from BAR athletes with a total of fifteen present, with both seasoned campaigners and newbies, enjoying the famous atmosphere of this ever-popular half marathon and final professional race for Sir Mo Farah. The weather was unseasonably warm and humid so not PB conditions, but the crowds were amazing providing extra drinks, sweets, ice pops and even some beer as well as awesome support.
Team BAR was ably led home by the ever-impressive Matt Randall in 01:33:00 but disappointed not to be the first to the bar like last year! As well as completing the course, members raised much needed funds for great causes.
Unfortunately, after the race there was a biblical downpour which literally put more than a little dampener on proceedings, leading to the Metro being cancelled and travel chaos with gridlock and people stuck in cars for hours. However, there was also some excellent community spirit with fellow local running club Swaledale Runners helping some of our members with transport home and local businesses staying open to help people shelter – at least it was memorable!
James Wigglesworth