As part of our run up to the Great North Run series we are speaking to people as they prepare. But of course before all of that kicks off the mini and junior Great North Run will be taking place. We spoke to Emily as she prepares to run the junior great north run with the hopes of receiving a podium place
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00:00 So tell me a bit about where your interest in running came from, what age did you start
00:06 running?
00:07 So I started running when I was about 7 years old. I used to go for runs with my dad, so
00:13 I'd just do little runs with him. When I was about 8 I wanted to be more competitive, so
00:20 I joined Sedgefield Harriers first and then I got to about 10 and then I thought I could
00:27 really do more competitive runs and run a lot more, like try and win more races and
00:34 stuff. So I joined Gateshead Harriers when I was 11 I think, so 2 years ago now.
00:43 I've loved the club, it's great to be around all these inspiring athletes that have been
00:48 before. I joined Gateshead because I've heard about the reputation and I knew they produced
00:54 really good athletes. The club's so supportive and all of my coaches have really supported
01:02 me and encouraged me and they all push me to do even better.
01:07 And you've already ran the Junior Great North Run, so tell me a bit about what that was
01:11 like for you?
01:12 So I've run it 3 times now I think. I ran it when I was very young but I remember it
01:19 just the same. It was really good, the atmosphere is great. It's such a competitive race. I
01:25 remember doing it when I was so much younger and I would just look at all the older athletes
01:30 doing it and just think I'm going to be one of them competitive ones in it. So yeah, it's
01:35 so good, the atmosphere is brilliant. I love the course as well, the routes are really
01:41 nice. The finish along the Millennium Bridge is really, yeah, you can't beat the Great
01:48 North Run. It's one of the best races in the Northeast.
01:53 And you said that you're hoping for a podium place this year, so tell me a bit more about
01:57 what you're hoping to get this year?
01:59 Yeah, so last year I ran it probably the most competitive I'd run it before. Last year I
02:05 was really aiming to try and get better than I did the year before. The year before I came
02:10 8th and then last year I came 5th. So yeah, this year if you take away 2 again it's then
02:16 podium. But yeah, I just hope I do better than last year. I'd love to aim for trying
02:23 to get as close to sub 15 as I can. But yeah, because last year I got 15.40 so hopefully
02:31 we can get a little bit better than that.
02:34 So for those who maybe are running the Junior Great North Run for the first time or they
02:38 want to get into running and they're a similar age to you, what would you say to them?
02:42 Just try and enjoy it. You obviously have to work hard and try your best but it's not
02:49 a lot of pressure either. No one really expects you to do brilliant. So just go and enjoy
02:54 it and run to the best you can. You've just got to think the atmosphere is amazing so
02:59 you just enjoy it as much as you can.