For some, running the Great North Run once would be enough.

Not for Lorraine Flory though.

The NRS Healthcare OT wanted to complete the world’s biggest half marathon for a second time, so she could run the traditional course which had been changed in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lorraine said:

“The Great North Run had been on my bucket list for my 50th birthday in 2020, but because of Covid it was postponed until 2021 and they then changed the route to a loop returning to Newcastle and spread out to prevent crowds of people congregating in South Sheilds. I was thrilled to finish that race and my photograph was actually used by the event to publicise it, but I still wanted to run the proper route to the sea.”

Lorraine, who works in the Outsourced Clinical Contact Team in Bardon, Leicestershire, completed the run with her running friend Alex in two hours, 36 minutes and 28 seconds – just before torrential rain and South Shields flooding. She said:

“I was injured last year which prevented me from running so Alex and I vowed to run and finish together. It was very busy with 60,000 runners and there was definitely a lot of dodging walkers, empty water bottles and orange peel, but the support of the crowds and charities on the route is like no other. The ice pops given out by a local family at mile eight tasted amazing!”

Lorraine’s passion for running is inspired by her desire to raise money for Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity which supports those living and affected by this life limiting illness. MND affects the motor neurone nerves in the brain and spine that tell muscles what to do. This leads the muscles to stiffen, weaken and waste, which in turn affects how those with the condition walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.

Earlier this year, Lorraine, who has worked with people with MND in social care for almost 30 years, completed her first marathon – the inaugural Rob Burrows Leeds Marathon to raise money for the charity. She said:

“I’d be very grateful to anyone who could donate anything towards the charity which supports such a devastating illness.”

Head to Lorraine’s fundraising page - here.