Great North Run

This blip, taken about 150 metres from the finishing line of the half marathon run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields demonstrates, I think, what the run is all about.

It shows 6 squaddies in full kit with loaded bergans running in formation behind a man dressed as a pirate, brandishing a cutlass. Alongside the army lads is an obviously serious runner, and they are all flanked by attractive young ladies.

The crowd at this point had been standing and cheering for more than an hour as the runners streamed in, and continued to do so for at least another three hours, regardless of the weather that had turned very wet when this shot was taken.

I take my hat off to all those who ran, and to the organisers of a really great day that raises huge sums of money for charities.