07 September 2015

Costain has entered a 21-strong team in the Great North Run this weekend, with all proceeds going to the *150 Challenge.

First staged in 1981 with just over 12,000 participants, the 13.1 mile course from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields is now the world’s leading half marathon attracting over 57,000 people.

The Costain 150 Challenge team includes Katie Arnott, Matt Broadhurst, Angela Challenor, Paul Clough, Sarah Dobson, Tim Embley, Dean Godwin, Paul Godwin, Mark Homfray, Graham Keegan, Paul Marram, Harrison O'Hara, Alexcia Ossei-Williams, Rob Phillips, Haydn Roberts, Claire Rowbotham, Derick Roylance, Abdul Shafi, Matthew Skins, Kristian Wood and Andrew Wyllie.

Previous runners include some of the most famous names in distance running, including Paula Radcliffe, Haile Gebrselassie and double Olympic and newly crowned World champion Mo Farah, who returns to Tyneside to defend the men’s crown.

The home-town hero of London 2012 and the recent Beijing World Championships will be attempting to become only the second British runner to win the elite men’s race for a second time. But he’ll have to run the race of his life because he’s got stiff competition from Angela Challenor.

“I’m taking Mo on. I’ve got a plane to catch at 4.45pm that day and I didn’t realise the race started so late, so I might have to push my way to the front to get a head start,” said Angela, Executive Assistant in the Infrastructure Division based in Maidenhead.

Mo Farah needn’t worry about any competition from Harrison O’Hara, a Mobile BIM Technician based in Maidenhead. It’ll be his first competitive run since school.

“This is my first GNR and my first half marathon, in fact it’s my first competitive run since sports day at primary school. Training has involved regular runs around my local area and dragging friends, family, pets and anyone willing to come along with me for some company. In terms of the actual race, I think Mo’s got this one in the bag,” said Harrison.

This will also be Katie Arnott’s first half marathon.  Admin Assistant and gym enthusiast Katie hopes to complete the run in under two hours.

“I love going to the gym but fitting in road running on top of going to the gym five days a week has been quite challenging. If I do it in less than two hours I’ll be very happy,” said Katie. 

The Run will be broadcast live on BBC One from 9.30am on Sunday, September 13.

 

Ends

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*The 150 Challenge commemorates Costain’s 150th anniversary and involves raising £1million in 2015 for the Costain Charitable Foundation’s four chosen charities – the British Heart Foundation, Macmillan Cancer Support, youth charity The Prince’s Trust and Samaritans.