THREE members of the Oldaker family from Launceston completed the Simplyhealth Great North Run from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields on Sunday, September 9 to raise money for Marie Curie.

Dad Marc and sons Nick and Ant headed up to the North East on the Friday afternoon with their partners Tracey, Sam and Hazel, although two of the runners weren’t overly keen with the idea to start with.

Nick said: “It was my brother’s idea. We did it nine years ago and he fancied doing it again and talked dad and I into doing it. We weren’t really that keen originally, but it gives you a competitive edge doing it with your family and it’s nice to achieve something together.

“We decided to support Marie Curie again as it’s a good all-round cause. It’s something in life that has affected or touched someone.”

All three took on the half marathon with different targets.

Nick said: “Dad wanted to do it as quick as he could. One hour and 44 was around the time he was aiming for and it was the same with me (2:15:16). We both trained quite a bit. He’s a very competitive person and always wants to do the best he can.

“He really pushed himself which showed as he finished near the top 2,700 (2,705). He went out two or three times a week and did eight, nine and ten mile runs from the start.

“I started about six weeks from the race and trained two or three times a week and gradually increased the distance to eventually do a couple of ten milers.

“With Ant (2:59:40), although it was his idea, he didn’t do much training. He just wanted to complete it, which was what he achieved.”

Nick admitted that it was a surreal experience, saying: “Running with 57,000 people is just amazing. Throughout the 13 miles you’re surrounded by the public so it’s just constantly people spurring you on. Charities had representatives scattered around which pushed you on and it gives you a boost along with the public, who are everywhere.”

So have they caught the running bug?

Nick continued: “Three of us said on Sunday we won’t be doing anything for a while but we’d like to do more in the future, if not the same event.

“But we’re really proud of what we did. There’s a sense of pride that we achieved what we set out to achieve.

“We would like to thank everyone including our partners Tracey, Sam and Hazel, who came with us, and anyone who’s donated to or supported the cause. It really helped and we really appreciate it. We all have our own JustGiving pages but we’re in it together. We’re aiming for £1,000 between us and we’re not that far off.”