Great North Run Gemma Thake reports: Last Sunday, I ran the Great North Run - highly recommended!! Despite a long way to go, it was one of my favourite races of the year and a great experience. Congratulations to the other Striders also running. The course is all on road with some inclines, although nothing too bad. Runners range from elite to fun/charity runners, and despite the masses of people I think you could do a fairly quick time if you wanted to. Given the scale of the event, it is also very well organised. I was four (out of ten) pens back from the start, and got over the start line in just over four minutes, after thousands of runners had already set off. The crowds and atmosphere are amazing and a real highlight - the route was lined the whole 13.1 miles, and despite some 50-odd thousand runners, I managed to pick out my parents cheering on Tyne Bridge! I would definitely recommend this one if you've not done it before.