For an encore this year I was due to do the Percy Pud 10k on 5th December. Thanks to 2 feet of snow being dumped on the surrounding countryside that was postponed until 12th. I achieved a time of 1:15:23 in 10th from last place! Could have done a little better!  However, 1500 entered and almost 500 didn't even run due to conditions.

FINAL GNR RESULT - Did it in 2:45:18, over 20 minutes faster than last year (bad result that) but 6 minutes slower than in 2007. 2:30 remains my target for 2011 - or 2012?

John managed 1:54:48, only 7 minutes slower than Sir Christopher Chataway - who's 80 in January, so plenty of time for me to improve yet!

It was cool with drizzle at the start, drying as we went along - until the final 1.5 miles when it got wetter and wetter! 2 days later and I can honestly say I'm feeling fitter than I did 2 weeks ago after the Great Yorkshire Run 10k.

Thanks again to everyone for their support.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Looking back to 4 years ago I wouldn't have thought this possible, but this will be my 5th Great North Run!

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me. RNIB receive your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. Also, as a pensioner, the Abbey Charitable Foundation will still match all I raise up to £700 - so, you give £10, Abbey gives £10, the government gives £2.80 - RNIB gets £22.80.

2007 was my best year when I broke the 2hour 40 minute barrier - largely due to friendly comments from supporters on my fund raising page! Thanks guys!

The more names I see here, the more incentive I'll have to train - and actually run! Many thanks in anticipation of your generous support.

As part of my preparations, now that I've retired from Abbey/Santander, my training runs go in the opposite direction, to Owler Bar and back. It's hard going up, and still quite hilly coming back down!

I did the Sheffield Half Marathon on 25th April in 2:54.33, and the Great Yorkshire Run 10k on 5th September in 1:12:57, my personal best after 4 attempts. This fund raising page will cover all 3 - it's hard enough running without having to go round with the hat too many times - I'm sure you'll be happy with that?!

This year my son John will be running in the Great North Run - but he needs to check in at Newcastle Airport not long after I'll be tottering across the line in South Shields! We'll probably not see each other after the start!

2:30 still looks a bit outside my capability, but it would be nice to get under 2:40 again!

With very many thanks for all the support and encouragement I've received to date, and continue to receive, from friends around the globe.

Previous years results at;

 

2006 at; http://www.justgiving.com/GreatNorthRun-RNIB-ChrisMorgan

2007 at: http://www.justgiving.com/GreatNorthRun2007-ChrisMorgan

2008 at; http://www.justgiving.com/greatnorthrun2008-chrismorgan

2009 at; http://www.justgiving.com/greatnorthrun2009-chrismorgan-sch

I also raised £100 for RNIB in 2009.