Inspired by Greatness: Joyce, Dave and Donna

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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.

This year, we are celebrating being Inspired by Greatness as each runner brings their unique story and motivation, showcasing that greatness lies within us all. Explore the extraordinary experiences of the thousands of runners who join us at the start lines each year.

80-Year-Old Joyce Paterson Proves It’s Never Too Late to Start
“I have always wanted to do the Great North Run (by walking) and have supported family members every year. I have never taken part, and this year my family are helping me for my first event! I am hoping to walk a good few miles and have a wheelchair to be pushed when needed. I turn 80 in April; my son 60 in May and my daughter is 50. All big birthdays for our big challenge!”

After 12 years of being on the sidelines as her daughter’s biggest supporter, this year, 80-year-old Joyce Paterson has decided to join the fun in doing the Great North Run.

Taking part with her son and daughter, this year Joyce will be proving to not just herself but everyone that it’s never too late to do something for the first time. Both Joyce and son Dave are doing the event for the first time.

During their training, Joyce’s daughter Donna had a realisation, “Using the wheelchair has made us appreciate how difficult our roads and access are for those who regularly need a chair for transport, it adds to the energy and strength needed to get from A to B.”

The South Shields family is running for Children’s Cancer North. “We first became aware of the charity due to my son’s best friend being diagnosed with leukemia at 10yrs of age, heartbreakingly after ring the bell, he relapsed, and we lost him in 2019 at 14yrs of age.
“We have heard of far too many children suffering and using adult dose treatments, there isn’t enough research into childhood cancer and that is something we vowed to fundraise for. Drew is missed every day, he was a great footballer for his age, sporty, and his humour made everyone who met him smile.”

Donna added: “Out of my 12 years of experience running in the Great North Run it has the best support out of any. Music, live bands, showers, cheering, high fives from children, the red arrows flying overhead, and just make sure to have tissues at the ready for Local Hero playing at the start line, and arrange to meet friends in South Shields for drinks to live music along the coast. The atmosphere is phenomenal.”

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.

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