Injured teacher didn't bottle out of tough event

Runners from our area are now resting up after taking part in the Great North Run. Here, Peter Craig catches up with the participants.

A SCHOOL teacher showed a lot of bottle to complete the Great North Run.

Cambridge Park Academy teacher Pierre Fenner, 28, did not let a sprained ankle stop him completing the course and raising £500 for The National Autistic Society.

He tripped over a discarded bottle of water about six miles from the end of the route, as he pounded the streets of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and South Shields.

Despite the injury, he battled through the pain and hobbled over the finish line in one hour 56 minutes.

Pierre teaches children with autism at the academy in Grimsby and also delivers the charity's Earlybird course that helps parents to cope with their child's diagnosis.

"It was an incredible experience," he said.

"The final few miles were a struggle – it was enough of an endurance test without having to face injury. But it was definitely worth pushing through the pain barrier for such a great cause."

He thanked all those who supported him with sponsorship.

Pierre is one of the runners from our area who raised hundreds of pounds for good causes in the world's largest half marathon, which this year attracted 40,000 entrants.

After completing the course in two hours 13 minutes, Humberside Fire And Rescue Service firefighter Steve Critten, 47, said he was "absolutely shattered".

He donned his firefighting gear to run the race.

Steve said: "I expect to be shattered running in my gear, but the atmosphere makes it worthwhile.

"The support I get is amazing. I put my name on my helmet and loads of people were shouting 'Come on, fireman Steve'."

Father and daughter Roy and Olivia Brown also raced to success as part of a five-strong team of Grimsby runners.

Roy, 54, of Barnoldby-le-Beck, and Olivia, 31, of Huddersfield, raised money for Leonard Cheshire Disability.

Mum Nancy Brown had to pull out before the race due to an injury.

Olivia took two hours and 14 minutes to cross the finish line and was joined three minutes later by Roy.

He said: "It was a great experience and I'm so proud to have helped Leonard Cheshire Disability.

"It's great feeling knowing that the money I helped to raise will be used to support its work in Lincolnshire and in other parts of the UK."

They were joined by fellow Grimbarians Adam Aisthorpe, Peter Baker and Wayne Padbury, who also raised money for the same organisation.

Cleethorpes Athletic Club was well-represented, with 15 runners taking part.

Club captain Darren Rowe said: "It was a wet one, which is not too bad for those of us nearer the sharp end of the race, but not so nice for those who are out for hours."

First home was Jason Clark, marking his half marathon debut with one hour and 30 minutes.

Just five seconds behind was Nik Forman, who runs in the for the British Heart Foundation every year.

Darren made a personal best time of one hour and 33 minutes, despite running the Yorkshireman Fell marathon the weekend before.

Dave Smith also broke 100 minutes, just missing out on his best time, crossed the line in one hour and 37 minutes.

Other notable male performances came from: Elliot Bareham, marking his debut over the distance with 1:55.59; Simon Pollard, 1:57.03; David Peck, 2:06.47; Malcolm Simons, 2:08.23; Mark Bromage, 2:15.10; Jason Nielson, 2:17.50; and Rob Allenby, 2:18.06.

On the ladies' side, Louise Yorston ran the race in two hours and 20 minutes in her first race at the half marathon distance.

She was followed by fellow half marathon debut runner Natalie Williams, in 2:09.46. She has raised about £500 for Cancer Research.

Other ladies were: Debbie George, 2:17.28; Kate Ellis, 2:26.42; and Susan Jarvis, 2:26.43.