18 THE JOURNAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 GREAT NORTH RUN 2017 Applause to ring out at run’s start for beloved star

Sonia Sharma 12,000 runners made their way to before returning to Tyne Tees in Reporter South Shields. 1996. He went on to have his own [email protected] This time Brendan Foster, who show - North East Tonight With Mike founded the event, will fire the start- Neville. HOUSANDS of runners are set ing pistol. He decided to retire in 2006 and to honour Geordie legend He said: “I am very happy. It is a spent his last years at his home in TMike Neville with a minute’s reflection on Mike Neville, who was Whickham. applause at the Great North Run. the first ever starter of the Great Ant and Dec are among the people The popular broadcaster, whoNorth Run, and I will be thinking who have paid tribute to him. became a household name through about Mike and his family on Sun- They wrote on Twitter: “Sad to hear the BBC’s Look North as well as ITV d a y .” of the passing of North East legend Tyne Tees news programmes, died Tyne Tees Television was launched Mike Neville. He was part of the fam- on Wednesday at the age of 80. in 1959 and Neville was there almost ily to so many. A broadcasting giant. Scores of former colleagues and from the beginning as a continuity RIP.” fans from across the region have announcer and then a newsreader. Broadcaster Lauren Laverne wrote: since paid tribute to the newsman, He later moved to the BBC and “Sad to hear that NE news legend describing him as the face and voice fronted Look North for 32 years, Mike Neville has passed away. He of the North East for more than 40 interviewed me many years ago. He years. was fab and I was utterly star-struck.” Now it has been announced that a Mike Neville was the Jim Moir – best known by his stage minute’s applause will be held in his name – and his comedy memory before tomorrow’s half-mar- first ever starter of partner Bob Mortimer also left mes- athon. sages. Moir wrote: “Our Look North It will take place on Newcastle’s the Run, and I will hero,” while Mortimer tweeted: “RIP Central Motorway, where around Mike Neville. Superb innovative 57,000 people are expected to gather be thinking about broadcaster. Dad to the NorthEast.” for the start of the race. Neville was chosen to start the first him and his family Great North Run in 1981, when Brendan Foster >> Mike Neville,who died this week, with his wife Pam       DAVID FAIRLAMB  Don’t miss David’s tips every THE FIt FACTOR Saturday in your Journal he Great North Run is upon Today how you are getting to the start. us again. Tomorrow 57,000 Preparation is the key – make sure Check where your bus is situated if Trunners will take part in the you have all your things ready the you need kit transported to the fin- 13.1 mile run from Newcastle, finish- night before, such as: ish. Also how you are getting home at ing on the beautiful South Shields ■■ Your number/safety pins, Vase- the end. coastline. line and appropriate clothing to keep ■■ Have an easy relaxing day if possi- Over 37 years the superb Great warm at the start. ble and read through all the informa- Run Company has transformed the ■■ Kit – make sure you have worn it tion that has been supplied about run into one of the most well-known before and it is comfortable. Do not the run day. and iconic in the world. An amazing wear new gear on the day, you may achievement by them and a huge well end up with blisters, rubbing Sunday pre-run boost, in so many ways, for the North rashes etc and this can make things ■■ Eat your usual pre-run breakfast, East. Yet again the run features top- very uncomfortable. don’t suddenly change it because it’s class athletes and of course many ■■ Know what time you need to race day and you have read that you celebrities who return year after year leave in the morning and should eat something alien to to sample the unique atmosphere you. that accompanies them all the ■■ Get to the start in plenty of ,.&+$%!$'*&%* &(* -(* &(!) way round. time, making sure you are in )*)+)!%))&$$+%!*. %*(  MMOBKQF@BPEFM T>OA !BPQ"OB>QFSB Here are a few of my tips the correct zone. /**% &+(%#+)!%))-() to help you before, during Motivational quote of the day■■ Drink a sensible amount of water  % ** (& %!*!&%.&+)(, "LJM>KV "LJM>KVLCQEB8B>O !BPQ RPBLC#FDFQ>I3B@EKLILDV T>OA and after the run: The Great North up to one hour before the start. Avoid &($&(!%&($*!&%'#)## $UMLOQ T>OA 'B>OQLCQEB"LJJRKFQV over drinking if you are not used to it. +&+#)&%  &($!# T>OA (KKLS>QFLK T>OA +BQ_P&OLT T>OA  Medical advice Run will help )+&+#)&% *(!%!*.$!((&(&$ ,>KRC>@QROFKD T>OA -BT@LJBOLCQEB8B>O  If you don’t feel well on the day or During the run &%*(%''#!*!&%,!)!* 3LROFPJ>KA'LPMFQ>IFQV T>OA have recently had flu and are not you discover ■■ Please start off at a sensible ---%+)!%))-()&+" 2BOSF@BP T>OA 2J>II!RPFKBPP T>OA 100% – don’t run. You can defer your speed. There are so many other run- entry until next year. strengths you ners it is very difficult to keep the     Stick to the pace that is right for same pace as you are constantly you, be sensible especially at the never knew you dodging and changing position, this start. If you feel good you can always will fatigue your legs and upset your pick things up in the latter part of the had rhythm. You can also get caught up run. in the atmosphere at the start; your THE JOURNAL SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 19 GREAT NORTH RUN 2017 Don’t miss The Journal next week MONDAY TUESDAY 12-page picture Find out where special on the 37th you finished Great North Run 40 pages of results by North East postcode

>> Mike Neville,who died this week, with his wife Pam NUTRITION CORNER Avoid eating a huge breakfast just because it’s GNR day and you have read you should eat two bowls of porridge. Eat what your body is used to, keep to routine, you should know what is best for you. It’s important you feel comfortable at the start line. Lost?

adrenaline kicks in and you set off too After the run quickly, so be aware. The last thing you ■■ Drink plenty of fluids and keep as want is to suffer badly in the last few miles. warm as possible. Your body will cool ■■ There are a number of water stations quickly, so use the items in your finish- on route, so take a sensible amount on ing pack that are designed to keep you board. warm. If you are not used to sports drinks they ■■ Try to eat within 40 minutes of fin- can upset your stomach, therefore take ishing. A combination of carbohydrate them in moderation. and protein foods will help bring your ■■ Try to stay relaxed throughout the run. body back to normal and hopefully At Cats Protection, we know If you are struggling with your breathing save any energy slumps over the next Found. take some deep breaths – in through your few hours. that microchipping is the quickest way to return a lost nose and out through your mouth – slow ■■ The ayd after, try an easy walk as this your pace and re focus. will help to loosen your legs. Remem- cat like Brian to their owner. Microchips don’t fall off and ■■ Remember when you go down the ber – fresh healthy food and plenty of steep hill to the sea front at South Shields water over the next few days will also they also help cats avoid potentially life-threatening collar there is still 1.5 miles to the finish. Avoid promote your recovery. sprinting thinking you are near the end! Good luck, and stay positive through- injuries. The chip itself is smaller than a grain of rice and out the run. as easy as an injection. To find out more get in touch today. FITNESS TIP Try to mentally break the run down into small sections. For example, think of it as Visit www.cats.org.uk/good-owners a five-mile run followed by two four-mile runs, or even better, focus on one or two miles at a time. It’s all about finding ways to keep your mind positive throughout. Reg Charity 203644 ( and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland)

Picture: Phil Pounder Photography