WHEN Jessica Landale crossed the finish line of Sunday’s Great North Run, it was one of the most emotional experiences of her life. 

For Jessica, the journey had been a considerably longer one than the 13.1 miles she had just ran from Tyneside to South Shields. 

It started back in 2013, when the Barrasford woman found out she was pregnant for the second time. 
But it became apparent that something wasn’t quite right, and Jessica was diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when the embryo grows outside the womb.

Such occurrences affect one in 80 pregnancies in the UK, with women suffering the devastating loss of their babies. 

Jessica, who went on to have a second child in 2015, ran on Sunday in aid of the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, which provides information, education and support to those affected by early pregnancy complications.

“I finished the Great North Run and then burst into tears,” said Jessica. “I don’t usually get emotional. I am a tough person, but it got to me.”

Jessica’s tears were understandable. For as she approached the home straight, she spotted her husband Jonathan, and children Lizzie (6) and Bertie (4), who were there to cheer her on from the sidelines.

“It pushed me over the edge,” she admitted. “It was an incredible feeling of relief, as I got my sore back and legs over the finish line, and it meant the world to have my family there with me.”

An occasional runner who previously did the Great North Run in 2011, Jessica was inspired to run for the trust to raise awareness of it’s vital work. She has also raised over £870. 

“Breaking the taboo of talking about my own experiences has enabled me to get the word out,” she said.

“A lot of people may not know about ectopic pregnancies so I want to raise as much awareness as possible. 

“I set out to raise £200, so I really want to thank everyone who has donated for raising the amount beyond £870.”

After sticking rigidly to her training schedule this year, Jessica was set to run the Kielder Half Marathon in October.

Almost 900 runners from across the district took part in Sunday’s Great North Run.

Mo Farah won a record sixth successive title in the elite men’s race, while Brigid Kosgei set a new half marathon world best to take the elite women’s race.

But people of all ages from the Tyne Valley did their bit, whether that be running a personal best time, or raising vital funds for worthy causes. 

To support Jessica’s mission, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jessica-landale.