The Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Cahal Burke, will take part in the Great North Run next month.
The Great North Run is the largest half-marathon in the world and the 13.1-mile event starts on Newcastle’s A167 central motorway. The route then heads east, crossing the iconic Tyne Bridge into Gateshead and finishes by the coast, in South Shields.
The first Great North Run took place in 1981, organised by Olympic runner Brendan Foster and attracted 12,000 participants. Forty years later, 60,000 runners from across the world take part in the Great North Run and millions of pounds have been raised for charity and good causes.
Clr Burke is an active runner and a member of Lindley Running Club and completed the London Marathon in 2017. He also organises the annual Lindley 10k race.
As the Mayor of Kirklees, Clr Burke has chosen Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Charity and the Royal Air Force Association (Huddersfield branch) to be the Mayor’s Charity of the Year in his term of office. Each donation to the Mayor’s Charity is split equally.
Clr Burke is aiming to raise £300 for Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Charity at the Great North Run.
Clr Burke said he was excited to take part in such a great event and added: “There are a number of ‘Great Runs’ organised across the country but the Great North Run is the first and original. It’s probably the most iconic half-marathon in the world.
“It will be a big challenge but running the Great North Run will also be a great achievement. It will be a momentous occasion and I’m sure that the atmosphere will be incredible, with thousands of spectators cheering on the runners to the finish line.
“In the days leading up to it, I’m sure that there will be a feeling of excitement, but it will also be emotional, knowing that I’ve spent months training for it.
“More importantly, I know that an incredible amount of money is raised for charities at the Great North Run. By taking part, I will be able to support the Mayor’s Charity this year.
“Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Charity and the Huddersfield branch of the Royal Air Force Association are very close to me.
“Both are rich in values of providing unwavering help for our communities and to people who are in difficulty that need a guiding hand or help to support them.”
To donate go to https://greatnorthrun2023.enthuse.com/pf/charles-burke
