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8 September 2015  

The world’s greatest half marathon will see 57000 runners starting in Newcastle on 13th September and hopefully completing the 13.1 mile course to the finishing line at South Shields – amongst them 20 runners raising funds for Radio Lollipop Newcastle.  Now 20 runners may not sound a lot but the competition for places is absolutely fierce and we are proud and privileged for our superb volunteers who are taking on “The Greatest Run in the World” – Geordies are modest by the way.

For those of you unfamiliar with the routine of the day the TV Broadcast begins with Mark Knopfler alone on the Newcastle/Gateshead Millennium Bridge playing Local Hero – the first chords of which really tug at the heart strings of anyone who knows Newcastle especially those of us lucky enough to live there – if you haven’t seen this watch it on You Tube and grab a hankie.  After the starting gun fires it takes about 15 to 45 minutes for the amateur runners to approach the world famous Tyne Bridge(sorry Sydney we got in first) and the appearance of the RAF Red Arrows for their first fly-past of the day, they also appear later when many, many tired feet are approaching the finish line.

Literally 98% of the runners are raising money for charity with runners dressed as ducks, men in pink frocks etc etc but most importantly for us our Lollipoppers in their very distinctive vests.  It can be and is a very long way especially near the end where there is a very steep hill before reaching the glorious north east coast and those final few steps which are the hardest of all.

Now back to Mark Knopfler – da da da,    da da da da da da da :).     Go Lollipoppers go and we will all be with you every step of the way.