HUB TEAM HIT NORTH RUN RECORD
A team from the Matt Hampson Foundation’s northern regional hub has set a world record time for completing a half-marathon pushing a wheelchair.
The AJ Bell Great North Run attracted 60,000 participants on Tyneside, including a group from Gym Possible, the Foundation’s first satellite hub, who completed the course in a time of 78 minutes 2 seconds.
Gym Possible was set up as an accessible gym by Drew Graham who became a beneficiary and friend of Matt’s Foundation after experiencing life-changing injury during a spell as a collegiate athlete in the USA. The gym is now based at Gateshead Leisure Centre, with a second facility at Benton in Newcastle.
Drew’s Great North Run team were set an official target time set of 1hr 45min by Guinness to qualify for the half-marathon record, with only the named six runners allowed to touch his chair during the 13.1-mile event. The time is taken from the sixth pusher to finish so they needed to stay together.
They covered the first 5k in 17min 21sec, which was 12 seconds ahead of schedule, but then had to manage fatigue and windy conditions before closing strongly to reach the line in 1:18:02.
Means so much
“It felt amazing to be out there on the course with the team,” said Drew who had completed his own half-marathon challenge on a Ski-Erg at Gym Possible during the build-up.
“I couldn’t believe how fast 78-minute pace felt in the chair!
“I just want to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has helped me and team, it means so much.”
Alex Smith, Jonathan Graham, Matt Nicholson, Matt Bond and Nick Hooker were joined in Drew’s team by Ryan McLeod, son of North-East athletics legend Mike who won the first North Run more than 40 years ago.
Nick Hooker said: “Completing the GNR in aid of Gym Possible and the Matt Hampson Foundation – two charities that hold deep meaning for me and in support of Drew – made every mile more purposeful. His strength, determination and the work he’s done through Gym Possible are truly inspirational.
“The atmosphere was incredible and we ran as hard as we could, not just for the finish line but in solidarity with Drew and everyone these charities support.”
