Newcastle University Great North Run Team

The iconic Great North Run returns to the region this September. This year we have an incredible team of alumni, staff, and supporters: Team Newcastle, running to raise funds for students who need it most.

Team Newcastle features twelve committed alumni, supporters, and colleagues who will be taking on the challenge on September 8th.

Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor and President of Newcastle University will be running in support of students this year:

"I'm incredibly proud to be running the Great North Run with our team of colleagues, alumni, and supporters this year, raising vital funds to help students from all backgrounds take advantage of the life-changing experience of a university education at Newcastle University. Together, we can make a real difference to their lives.”

Alumni Marco Amitrano (Senior Partner at PwC UK), Shaun Boyle (M&A Advisory Senior Manager at PwC UK), and Rob McCargow (Director at PwC United) will also join the team running from the Tyne Bridge to South Shields. They are dedicated to supporting students through workshops, debates, and the PwC Flying Start Bursary, which alleviates financial strain and allows students to focus on academics. The bursary also fosters a sense of belonging, enabling students to fully engage in university life by joining societies and sports teams.

Long-time supporters of Newcastle University, Nick Kershaw and Gillian Cannon, are also part of the team. Gillian, who will be running alongside her niece Beth Cannon, supports female students pursuing STEM subjects through scholarships, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Nick Kershaw, the founder of the Impact Marathon, has created a global movement that connects individuals through running. Under his guidance, the Impact Marathon has gained international recognition, raising funds for critical causes such as poverty alleviation and gender equality.

Newcastle colleagues taking part include Naomi Oosman-Watts, Director for Student Success, Jonathan Sabarre, Director of Marketing and Peter Kelly, Philanthropy Manager, alongside his daughter Charlotte.

We are also delighted to have the support of our Students' Union Postgraduate Officer, Chirag Kumar, who currently represents postgraduate student interests, co-chairs the Union's Accessibility and Inclusion Working Group, and the Education Executive Committee.

Fundraising

Many of our alumni, students, and colleagues have taken on the challenge of the Great North Run over the years.

The team are expecting to raise over £3,500 for this vital cause and we will be wishing them every success in reaching this goal, as well as completing the challenge of those arduous 13 miles.

To support the team’s efforts, and to help future generations of Newcastle graduates reach their potential, please go to the link below to donate.

Donate now

About the Great North Run

The Great North Run is a highlight in the North East’s sporting calendar, welcoming 60,000 participants annually – from professional athletes to amateur runners they all raise money for worthy causes.

The run was devised by former Olympic bronze medallist, BBC Sport commentator, and honorary graduate Brendan Foster. Foster was inspired after running in the Round the Bays Race in New Zealand in 1979 and has built upon the Great North Run with a series of other Great Run Road races.

The 13.1 miles city to coastal route begins on the central motorway, a stone’s throw from Newcastle University. Participants then make their way over the Tyne Bridge where they get to witness a spectacular fly-over display from the Red Arrows, with spectators cheering from the sidelines all the way from Newcastle to South Shields.

Red Arrows flying across the Tyne Bridge during the Great North Run

Thousands of spectators cheer along the route, right up to the finish line in South Shields. Joe Currin, a second-year Media and Communications student in 2007, captured the unforgettable atmosphere created by the crowd in a comment for The Courier:

“My overriding memory of the Great North Run is of the spectators. They lined the road for the full 13.1 miles, in part to spot unusual costumes but also to hand out orange segments, ice lollies, cups of water and even Vaseline. One elderly lady took it upon herself to welcome every passer-by to Jarrow. Without knowing she provided many runners with a reason for running that little bit faster.”