Inspired by Greatness: Rebecca Dodds – The Coffee Run
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.
Inspired by Her Grandma’s Skydiving at 70, Becky Dodds Forms ‘The Coffee Run’ Club and Takes on the Challenge of the Great North Run for Alzheimer’s Awareness
Inspired by her adventurous grandma, 23 year old Becky Dodds is taking on the challenge of this year’s Great North Run. Her last race was the Junior Great North Run at age 11. “My Grandma Jean inspired me to participate. She always loved a challenge! She even completed a skydive for her 70th birthday.”
Unfortunately, her grandma passed away last December with Alzheimer’s. Upon which she decided to sign up for the Great North Run. “I decided I had never ran and didn’t want to run by myself. I looked at other run clubs, and they were all set pace or set time, which I definitely couldn’t keep up with. Because of this, I decided to create my own run club ‘The Coffee Run’. A community that has grew massively over the last 8 months and got me to where I am today!”
“There is now a large group of us running in The Great North Run. We are all in different waves but are meeting after!”
“The Coffee Run has been my main source of training, as running in a group makes it so much easier! They push me every week.”
“The Coffee Run inspires me every single day! Meeting new people, from all fitness levels. Continuously improving themselves and pushing eachother to be 1% better everyday” she says.
Becky is dedicating her run this year to fundraise for the Alzheimer’s Society. “My goal is £300 and we are well on our way to reaching that target. Alzheimers is an awful illness, not only for the diagnosed, but also for the family and everyone involved. I really don’t think there is enough awareness on this matter and I want to support the Alzheimer’s Society as much as I can.
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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