THE Simplyhealth Great North Run is the best event of its kind in the entire world, I'm certain of that.

A bold claim, of course, given that I haven't participated in every running event the globe has to offer (!), but I cannot predict for one minute that anything can top the wonderful half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

Where else would you get carried along by the highly charged friendliness of thousands of North-East natives, offering everything from energy boosting jelly babies and refreshing bottles of water, to calorific sausage rolls and bottles of Newcastle Brown Ale?

The atmosphere is simply out of this world, and the encouraging support from complete strangers every step of the way is inspirational, to say the least.

It's amazing how much of a lift a shout from the sidelines or a child over the moon to get a high five can be when you're at the edge of your physical limit.

This year, there was a record number of 43,127 people who completed the world famous half marathon, and I feel privileged to have been one of those crossing the line.

Part of the swarm as hundreds hit the same stretch of the course at the same time, it can be tricky to negotiate your way past fellow runners on the look-out for a quicker stride.

However, it is part and parcel of being involved in an event like no other, an event that truly justifies its title as the Holy Grail for a lot of runners.

When taking in the course, it is hard not to be inspired by the thousands of t-shirts and vests informing you of people's personal reasons for challenging themselves.

What made it all that special for me was that my two brothers Keith and Peter and sister Stephanie were all there with me at the start, and there was no prouder moment than meeting up with them at the end and seeing how chuffed they were to complete such a personal challenge.

In particular, the image of seeing Stephanie, a bag of nerves as we all arrived in Newcastle together, beaming from ear to ear after accomplishing something she never thought she could achieve will live with me forever.

It was the second time I have taken part in the GNR, but I had trained more this time around - in fact, all my training for 2017 had been built around the event.

After dislocating my shoulder for a fourth time playing football in December, I decided that 2017 was to be a year of as many running activities within the local area.

And, while I've loved all events I've taken part in so far, the GNR was always the raison d'etre.

Having already completed two half marathons, the Tynedale and Hexham events, I went into the latest 13 miler in good spirits.

However, I had foolishly ignored the doctor's orders not to return to competitive (well, Sunday League) football just yet, and I thought I'd blown my chances of even competing.

For I felt a pain in my gluteus maximus during the game one week before the big run, and I seriously thought I would have to drop out as late as three days before.

Yet I couldn't live with the thought of missing something I was looking forward to so much with what was basically a pain in the backside...

Fortunately, I felt no pain during the run and I was pleased to have crossed the finishing line in an official time of 1:42:23, beating the time I recorded during my only other attempt back in 2013 by 14 minutes!

Still buzzing days after the race, I now plan to finish off the year with another iconic North-East run I've been dying to take part in, the Tynedale Harriers Jelly Tea Race.

More was planned for later in the year but my activity will be cut short by a shoulder operation at the end of the month. But what better way to sign off than with a legs, and a plate, of jelly?!

Saturday 4th March

Mad March Mare

Hexham Racecourse

Challenge Northumberland

01:06.36

Sunday 14th May

Tynedale Half Marathon

Hexham Market Place

Run Northumberland

01:44:35

Wednesday 24th May

Vindolanda 10K

Vindolanda Roman Fort

Run Northumberland

00:48:47

Wednesday 21st June

Stamfordham 10K

Stamfordham Village Hall

Run Northumberland

00:47:12

Tuesday 27th June

Tynedale 10K

Ovington

Tynedale Harriers

00:42:58

Sunday 16th July

Hexham Half Marathon

Hexham Abbey

Greg Urwin

01:41:28

Wednesday 19th July

Wallington 10K

Wallington Hall

Run Northumberland

00:45:26

Sunday 10th September

Great North Run

Newcastle

Great Run Company

01:42.23

Sunday 24th September

Tynedale Jelly Race

Hexham Racecourse

Tynedale Harriers