Inspired by Greatness: Hannah Richardson
The AJ Bell Great North Run has always been about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It started back in 1981, when 12,264 pioneers forged the path from Newcastle to South Shields.
This year the class of 2024 will follow in the footsteps of 1.3 million before them, running the same infamous 13.1 mile route. Each runner inspired by someone, some cause, some moment. Each runner on their own road to greatness.
Daughter Honors Late Father by Running Great North Run: A Tribute to Michael Lewis, Lifelong Runner and Family Man
71-year-old Gateshead man, Michael Lewis had been a regular runner at the Great North Run. He regularly ran three times a week throughout his adult life and had even taken up diving. Unfortunately, just days after starting to take up a new hobby, he passed away after collapsing upon his regular jog while living in Thailand. He was found unresponsive in the lift of his apartment from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
His 36-year-old daughter, Hannah Richardson, will be running the Great North Run this year in honour of her dad who had run the same 13.1mile course in 1986.
“Doing this for dad is everything. He’d be really proud of me. He was such a family man and if he was here, he’d absolutely be doing it with me. He’s the reason I run anyway as it was just part of our lives. Dad was a good runner and came in the top 500 of the Great North Run in 1986.”
“His death was the most terrible shock for all of us because he was so fit. Life was very happy for him. He loved living in Thailand for half the year helping my brothers out and he had his grandkids and me back in Gateshead.”
“I’m trying to be grateful for the time we had with him, rather than being sad about losing the time we thought we should have had with him.”
43 years on, the Great North Run has generated hundreds of millions of pounds in charity fundraising, witnessed some of the greatest road running performances of all time and this year was awarded the World Athletics Heritage Plaque for its contribution to the worldwide history and development of mass participation road running.
The award is so much more than the Great North Run; it’s about every runner, volunteer, charity, supporter, across every single year. It’s about the unwavering support of the people of the North East who get behind this event like no other and inspire the next generation.
The Great North Run will be broadcast live on BBC One on Sunday, 8 September from 10am to 2pm and around the world, showcasing the best of the region nationally and internationally.
For Great North Run 2025 ballot updates, sign up here. We will also provide you with useful running information and guidance, special offers, training advice, top tips, and exclusive Great Run Series event updates.
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