The Great North Run will see tens of thousands of determined runners race through Newcastle-upon-Tyne and South Shields this weekend.
Last year saw 57,000 participants hit the roads — and this weekend, some Huddersfield runners will head north to join the challenge.
Raising money for a variety of good causes, the determined athletes hope to raise cash for their causes and complete the 13.1 mile course.
Meet the Huddersfield runners in the 2015 Great North Run:
Mirfield vicar Hugh Baker, to raise money for church tower repairs at St Mary the Virgin
Hugh Baker, vicar of Mirfield Parish Team
The Rev Hugh Baker, of Mirfield Team Parish will swap psalms for shorts on Sunday when he puts his best foot forward in Newcastle’s Great North Run.
He will take on a 13.1mile course in potentially bracing weather to raise £1,000 for one of the three churches under his care, the grade II-listed St Mary The Virgin on Church Lane, to help with the final costs following a huge renovation that has so far totalled £250,000.
Nothing is daunting Hugh, 57, who has been taking to the streets around the town up to three times a week to train.
“I’ve been training with a running partner so think I’m ready for it and it will be lovely if I can raise some more money for the church at the same time.
“We’ve been doing five to eight kilometre runs but did a 10 mile one recently and I’ve been going to the gym every day.
“I’ve done half marathons and Chester Marathon before and have kept my running up but it’s been a year since I last ran 13 miles.
“What gets you through is the amazing atmosphere on the day.”
Hugh talked about how raising the £1,000 would help the church, which was opened in 1871 after being designed by renowned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.
It has played host to numerous community events, including the pantomimes that provided the acting debut for Sir Patrick Stewart.
“Extensive work has been done since April and we just need the money to make sure we can cover all the bills”, said Hugh.
“Chunks were falling off the building but by carrying out repairs to the tower, and roof we know its going to be safe for people to continue to enjoy.
“We were very fortunate to receive a very generous £180,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, without whom this project could not have gone ahead.”
Great North Run 2014 runners cross the Tyne Bridge
Victoria Woodward for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society
Victoria Woodward, a senior radiographer from Huddersfield, is taking part in the Great North Run on Sunday to help the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.
She said: “One of our friends at work was diagnosed with the life-changing condition, Multiple Sclerosis, two years ago.
“Since then, the MS Society is a charity that’s been really close to our hearts and we’re keen to help sufferers in any way we can.”
Running with her will be the popular Examiner football writer Doug Thomson , his wife Lucy, a team lead at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and cardiology manager, James Battye.
And Victoria has been cheered by house builder Taylor Wimpey’s support. The company has given her and her colleagues a £250 cash boost goes towards their fundraising target of £1,000 for the half marathon on Sunday.
Julie Rushworth, Rebecca Morgan and Tracy Wilkins for Marie Curie and Yorkshire Building Society’s Hour of Need campaign
Three members of staff from Yorkshire Building Society who are taking part in the Great North Run. From the left, Rebecca Morgan, Julie Rushworth and Tracy Wilkins.
Yorkshire Building Society colleagues Julie Rushworth, Rebecca Morgan and Tracy Wilkins will all be taking part to raise money for Marie Curie and Yorkshire Building Society’s Hour of Need campaign.
They are determined to conquer the famous 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields so that Marie Curie nurses can provide even more vital support for terminally ill people and their families across the UK.
Julie a customer representative at the Yorkshire Building Society in Huddersfield, said: “This is the first time I have taken part in the Great North Run but I am determined to finish the course. The training has been hard but when I think of the work that Marie Curie nurses have to do every day it is extra motivation to get the running shoes on.
“We are aiming to raise £1,400 as a team and we are well on our way to a target thanks to the generosity of family and friends as well as our amazing customers in our Huddersfield branch.”
If you would like to support the team from Huddersfield then you can make a donation here .
Shaun Poucher for Macmillan Cancer Support
Shaun Poucher is taking part in the Great North Run in his dad John's memory.
Huddersfield student Shaun Poucher is going on the run - in his dad’s memory.
He’ll line up with thousands of others in next month’s Great North Run and aims to raise hundreds of pounds for Macmillan.
The cancer charity provided a lot of help for Shaun and his family as John Poucher fought a 12-month battle with the disease.
John, 72, was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus last year but died last month.
The man who served in the Coldstream Guards for 18 years was an inspiration both the Shaun and his brother Carl.
Shaun, 21, is studying sports promotion and marketing at the University of Huddersfield . He lives in Watyerloo after being brought up in Harrogate, where his mum Elaine still lives.
“Macmillan have been brilliant to all of us over the past 12 months.
“This is the fourth year I have done the Great North Run and this time it has to be in my dad’s memory. He did so much for us.
“He is certainly my inspiration and I hope I can do him proud in the run."
Shaun, who is a keen footballer, is training hard and clocking up the miles from his home in Mereside, Waterloo. He plans to step up the training before heading to Newcastle for the run on September 13.
His brother Carl has also been raising funds for Macmillan and has had his head shaved.
Andrea and Mikaela Peel for HRI's Intensive Care Unit
Mother and daughter Andrea and Mikaela Peel preparing for The Great North Run
A mum and daughter duo from Moldgreen are taking on the Great North Run to give something back to the hospital which treated their loved one.
Andrea and Mikaela Peel will take on the iconic race on September 13 in support of the care staff at HRI’s Intensive Care Unit gave to the late Michael Peel.
Andrea, who works in Education Services for Kirklees Council, said: “My late husband Michael was cared for at Huddersfield Intensive Care Unit 14 years ago.
“We are wanting to finally give something back for their amazing care and support they gave not only to Mick but the family as a whole.
“They are truly special people and those dark days would have been darker without them.
“We haven’t set a target amount we want to raise, just as much money as possible.
And the pair are under no illusions of the enormous task ahead as both Andrea, 51, and Mikaela, 26, have run the race before.
Andrea added: “I’ve done it three times before and Mikaela has done it twice. It’s just a great atmosphere and the crowds really keep you going.
“We don’t usually run together when we are training but have been out a couple of times together.
“I tend to do shorter runs during the week then at the moment I’m doing about 12 miles at the weekend.
“We will start off running together on the day but will both go at our own pace.”
To donate to the Peel families fundraising click here .
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