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Reporting on the Great North Run

The Red Arrows are seen flying over the Tyne Bridge during the 2015 Morrisons Great North Run, Newcastle.
The Red Arrows flying over the Tyne Bridge

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jack Brooke-Battersby @JackBrooke93

Jack Brooke-Battersby

Jack Brooke-Battersby - Autumn 2015 NCTJ Course Newcastle - @JackBrooke93

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Jack Brooke-Battersby

Jack Brooke-Battersby - Autumn 2015 NCTJ Course Newcastle - @JackBrooke93

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