My 2005 poem - Great North Run

The Great North Run was an early dawn

Surprise for September, it was sunny and warm

We arrived at the start of the 25th race

We got through the mass and squeezed into a space

Safety pins fastening numbers to tops

Microchipped ankles for the time when we stop

The atmosphere’s friendly, we’re so pleased to be here

A North East occasion they hold very dear

With Brendan and Crammy it looks great on the telly

Now the day has come, will our legs become jelly

There’s actors, presenters and Nell McAndrew

There’s Motty and Stubbsy, was that Dr. Who?

The ‘Jerusalem’ hymn and the parachute lads

‘Abide With Me’ thinking of lost mums and dads

There’s big bananas, sunflowers and Scooby Doo

We see Spongebob, Spiderman and Elvis too

Just before the gun, tracksuits get thrown

As we make our first steps into the great unknown

It takes quarter of an hour to get on our way

Never been so slow on a dual carriageway

Now near the Tyne Bridge we see the Red Arrows

Any chance of a lift? Are you going to Jarrow?

“Oggie oggie oggie!” echoes as we run down below

We yell ‘Oi oi oi!’ back but we’re not quite Seb Coe

Vests for hearts, asthma, cancers are all proudly worn

Charity will do well on this very hot morn

Stories happy and sad are all in the mix

My knee wants a rest but we’re only at six

Water stations welcome, showers to run through

What the heck is that queue? Ah yes, Portaloo

Houses share hosepipes, songs and ice-pops

Cheers and sliced oranges from their own table tops

Temptation is there at the side of the road

An ice-cream van’s spotted sharing its load

The crowds are fantastic with all their support

We do hand slaps with kids to encourage the sport

The miles pass by quick as we head for the coast

Don’t care that our time will be nothing to boast

Tragedy strikes as four pass away

A terrible loss on a very hot day

Down the last hill now, take care of the knee

We turn the last corner and there is the sea

As we look up the road, what a sight to treasure

Bye to the last band, the breeze makes it feel fresher

The Red Arrows are back as we do the last miles

We both reach the finish with real happy smiles

Proud to have been part of the amazing event

Thoroughly enjoyed a race so well meant

With space blankets, t-shirts and medals round neck

We walk to the metro for our homeward trek

Buses and trains… well never again

The lines were so long as we started to wane

A great day of achievement in a charity vest

Now it’s off to the pub in need of a rest

Sit back and relax and enjoy a cold beer

With great memories aplenty we’ll be back next year