Newlyweds hit the ground running

NO wonder Sheffield newlyweds Claire Vicary and John Slade are smiling - they raised £400 for charity by completing the Great North Run.

Claire, aged 26, and husband John, 32, from Walkley, Sheffield, trained for the 13-mile race together - although they gave themselves a break to get married in July!

Claire, a doctor, finished the race from Newcastle to South Shields in one hour and 54 minutes, and John crossed the finish line three minutes later. He was taking part for the third time.

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John, a teacher at Pope Pius X school in Wath, Rotherham, said: "It's just the best race. It's always so enjoyable. Between seven and nine miles I was really struggling but the crowds keep you going. The steel bands and all the drummers along the course really spur you on!"

Claire, who was taking part for the sixth time, said: "It was a harder than last year but it's just so enjoyable - I got to the end and thought, 'My legs are killing but I'm still smiling!'."

Claire and John were supporting CAFOD, the Catholic aid agency, and wanted to raise money for development projects around the world.

Claire said: "I spent a year in Vietnam and saw poverty and injustice first hand, so that acts as a reminder, plus you see the issues in the news all the time."

Sheffield

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man Brian Deakin and daughter Emma crossed the Great North Run finishing line together in two hours 45 minutes to help the Leonard Cheshire Disability charity.

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