Kirkby Man Set to Take to Newcastle for Great North Run

A runner from Kirkby is taking on the Great North Run half marathon this September, to raise funds for vital cancer research and education across the region.

Paul Russell, an NHS sonographer working across St Helens, will join 57,000 other runners and take to the streets of Newcastle to complete the half marathon, alongside his friend Mike, who is also raising money for North West Cancer Research. Paul’s training regime started back in January with 2km runs on the treadmill before he took to the streets of Kirkby with 5km and 10km runs, progressing to an 18km run alongside his pal Mike recently.

Paul has raised and his well on his way to passing his £350 target, with donations coming in from family, friends and coworkers.

Paul said: “This will be my first time running the Great North Run and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve completed the same distance with Liverpool and Leeds half marathons before, so training is going well so far and I’m aiming for a time of under two and a half hours.

“My friend Mike encouraged me to sign up for the charity spot alongside him and I’m honoured to be able to run for North West Cancer Research. In my job I unfortunately see some patients who are diagnosed with or have battled cancer for many years, so it’s great to support a charity that does wonderful work in understanding cancer and developing technologies and treatments that will help improve survival rates.”

You can show Paul your support at: https://greatnorthrun2023.enthuse.com/pf/paul-russell