04 Sep LET’S ALL DO THE GREAT NORTH RUN!

This time last year, a group of Ludlow Runners decided to enter a half marathon event. Having enjoyed regular parkruns and the odd 10k over the last few years, it seemed like a good idea to go for a new challenge!

They decided to go for the AJ Bell Great North Run in 2026, encouraged by Karen Thompson, who ran the race in 2022 and 2023.

Having chosen the event, it was time to enter via the Charity route and each runner chose a charity that was close to their heart. It takes a lot of work to raise the funds required and the runners have been hard at work doing just that, as well as putting in the training time of course.

Fundraising has included a successful cake sale at Ludlow parkrun earlier in the summer. The proceeds were divided between the various causes.

There has inevitably been the odd setback over the last few months, but the team are good to go – and will be at the start on the morning of Sunday 13th, ready to join 63,000 others in the world’s biggest half marathon. 

We wish them all the best for a great race and an enjoyable weekend!

Watch this space for the ‘after the event news’.

Here is the list of charities our dedicated team are supporting. They each have a Just Giving page – just search the name and charity to make a donation.

Sam Angell (Mind)

Jan Benjamin (Facial Palsy UK)

Jane Francis (Guide Dogs)      

Ruth Jones (NHS Charities Together)

Donna Lewis (NHS Charities Together)

Sue Lewis (Breast Cancer Now)

Carol Morgan (Guide Dogs

Nicola Read (Guide Dogs)

Sue Wilson (Prostate Cancer UK)

Karen Thompson (gained a 2026 place through membership of the event but raised money for Marie Curie in 2023)