First time runner aims to beat grandad's time

4 hours ago

Andy WatsonNorth East and Cumbria

News image — Dan Turnbull is taking part in his first Great North Run at the age of 25

BBC Dan Turnbull is standing on South Shields beach. He has ginger hair which has been tied up, he is wearing spectacles with a black rim, with several ear ring. He is also wearing a navy and orange vest in support of the MS Society. — Dan Turnbull is taking part in his first Great North Run at the age of 25

A 25-year-old man is running the Great North Run for the first time after being inspired by his grandad who ran the event 27 times in a row.

Dan Turnbull, from South Shields, is following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Mel Turnbull, 82, who competed in the first event in 1981.

The Great Run Company, which runs the event, said the number of competitors aged 25 and under had almost doubled over the past five years, with more than 15% of entrants now falling into that age group.

Dan said: "It was my turn, my grandad and my dad have run it before, I surf and I did run in school but not distance, I started to train and I really didn't want to like running but I love it."

His participation in the event has also started a friendly, family rivalry and said if he beat his grandad's best time of 90 minutes he would be "over the moon".

Mel said: "It's a great event, I'm proud I did 27 in a row, I've kept all my medals even the first one and I did it up till 2014 and that was my last one then - I was pushing 70.

"I hope Dan can beat my time, he's got longer legs than me but if he does, I'll get my trainers on and see if I can beat him next year."

Mel Turnbull dressed in a blue checked shirt and navy blue gilet, holds up the medal he won during the first Great North Run in 1981. He is standing in front of a roundabout and there are black railings behind him. — Dan's grandfather Mel Turnbull competed in the first Great North Run in 1981

Growing up Dan was a young carer for his mum Nicola Turnbull who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2000 and he is fundraising for the MS Society.

"When my mum's condition got worse I went from just doing the laundry to doing a lot more," Dan said.

"It went from helping with simple things to taking up a lot of my time but I've always been interested in charity work and this felt like the right choice to run for."

Nicola Turnbull is wearing a blue top with a gold necklace and glasses with a purple frame. Standing behind her is her son Dan. He has ginger hair which has been tied up, he is wearing spectacles with a black rim and is wearing a navy and orange vest in support of the MS Society. — Dan is running for the MS Society which has supported his mum Nicola Turnbull who has the condition

Nicola who lives on the route of the Great North Run said she looking forward to "cheering on" Dan as he runs past her home.

"I'm so proud of him, the MS Society has done a lot for me and it means a lot that he's doing it for them as they help an awful lot of people," Nicola said.

With more people taking up running, Dan believes the sport has become more "accessible" in recent years.

"In an age when everything is just on your computer or phone, you can go to a running club and meet people you never expect to meet, all you need is a pair of trainers, it feels a more accessible," he said.

"I think a lot of young people now enjoy running, sport can be very macho but I think there's something nice about running."

Follow BBC Newcastle on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.