00:00 So tell me a bit about where your interest in running came from, what age did you start
00:06 running?
00:07 So I started running when I was about 7 years old. I used to go for runs with my dad, so
00:13 I'd just do little runs with him. When I was about 8 I wanted to be more competitive, so
00:20 I joined Sedgefield Harriers first and then I got to about 10 and then I thought I could
00:27 really do more competitive runs and run a lot more, like try and win more races and
00:34 stuff. So I joined Gateshead Harriers when I was 11 I think, so 2 years ago now.
00:43 I've loved the club, it's great to be around all these inspiring athletes that have been
00:48 before. I joined Gateshead because I've heard about the reputation and I knew they produced
00:54 really good athletes. The club's so supportive and all of my coaches have really supported
01:02 me and encouraged me and they all push me to do even better.
01:07 And you've already ran the Junior Great North Run, so tell me a bit about what that was
01:11 like for you?
01:12 So I've run it 3 times now I think. I ran it when I was very young but I remember it
01:19 just the same. It was really good, the atmosphere is great. It's such a competitive race. I
01:25 remember doing it when I was so much younger and I would just look at all the older athletes
01:30 doing it and just think I'm going to be one of them competitive ones in it. So yeah, it's
01:35 so good, the atmosphere is brilliant. I love the course as well, the routes are really
01:41 nice. The finish along the Millennium Bridge is really, yeah, you can't beat the Great
01:48 North Run. It's one of the best races in the Northeast.
01:53 And you said that you're hoping for a podium place this year, so tell me a bit more about
01:57 what you're hoping to get this year?
01:59 Yeah, so last year I ran it probably the most competitive I'd run it before. Last year I
02:05 was really aiming to try and get better than I did the year before. The year before I came
02:10 8th and then last year I came 5th. So yeah, this year if you take away 2 again it's then
02:16 podium. But yeah, I just hope I do better than last year. I'd love to aim for trying
02:23 to get as close to sub 15 as I can. But yeah, because last year I got 15.40 so hopefully
02:31 we can get a little bit better than that.
02:34 So for those who maybe are running the Junior Great North Run for the first time or they
02:38 want to get into running and they're a similar age to you, what would you say to them?
02:42 Just try and enjoy it. You obviously have to work hard and try your best but it's not
02:49 a lot of pressure either. No one really expects you to do brilliant. So just go and enjoy
02:54 it and run to the best you can. You've just got to think the atmosphere is amazing so
02:59 you just enjoy it as much as you can.
Comments