Reporting on the Great North Run

Having arrived in the North East with minimal knowledge of the area and being thrown back into a classroom environment with a group of new people, constantly being warned how tough the next few months would be, the PA Diploma course was looking pretty daunting.

Roll on three weeks of expert teaching, sympathetic talks from past trainees, and a surprising progression in that most elusive of skills – shorthand – and the Great North Run was upon us.

Everyone was involved. Tyneside comes together for one monumental weekend.

It’s the biggest half marathon in the world and the Geordies make sure everyone knows it.

At the five mile mark. #GNR2015 http://t.co/1gtI64RRBO pic.twitter.com/AGiXxLsMZ2

— Sophie Halsey (@Sophie_Halsey) September 13, 2015

But the best thing for us as a group of young reporters was that it was a reminder of why we are here. It’s your first big chance to get out, speak to the locals, the 57,000 runners, and experience the buzz of Newcastle.

May the force be with you, chewy. #GNR2015 http://t.co/5Rk4fee04z pic.twitter.com/E8Hajzncrg

— Phil Smith (@Phil__Smith) September 13, 2015

The atmosphere was indescribable, feeling the spectacular Tyne Bridge shake to the march of the superheroes, pantomime villains, wookies, and every other costume you can think of, as the Red Arrows fly overhead was the only confirmation I needed that I’d made the right decision in coming here.

Can actually fee the Tyne Bridge shaking! What a day #GNR2015 @EveningChron @Great_Run pic.twitter.com/gGgP9CeshL

— Jack BrookeBattersby (@JackBrooke93) September 13, 2015

Working with the titles that operate here – The Chronicle, The Journal and The Sunday Sun – there’s room for everyone to see their name in black and white for the first time.

But nothing compares to realising the passion of the people in this city; they all have a story and I can confidently speak for 16 people when I say we can’t wait to get back out there.

Harry Dinning, 79 and his wife Edna, 77, have been watching the #GreatNorthRun right outside their house for 45 years pic.twitter.com/DdvQ8hheOq

— Luke Barnes (@LukeBarnes1292) September 13, 2015

Mo finishing!! @EveningChron #GNR2015 pic.twitter.com/87fnik8C1Y

— Emmie (@emmieeharrison) September 13, 2015

Mo: 'It's so great to finish the season on a high!' #GreatNorthRun pic.twitter.com/KaUorxLg0R

— Neil Clark (@neil_a_clark) September 13, 2015

Great North Run 2015: coverage from the Chronicle Live and our Newcastle Trainees http://t.co/37tLhKqWSw pic.twitter.com/fhzPl6Q4Ci

— Press Assoc Training (@PA_Training) September 14, 2015

Jack Brooke-Battersby @JackBrooke93

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