Prime Minister makes history at Great North Run
Prime Minister Andy Burnham became the first serving Prime Minister to take part in the Great North Run on Sunday, joining more than 63,000 runners on the 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields. Wearing a Number 10 bib, he crossed the finish line in just under two hours, with several reports giving his time as 1:57:34.
Speaking after the race, Burnham told the BBC the event was "just a brilliant occasion" and "a day that reminds you how good this country is when it's together like this." In an exclusive interview with theEvening Chronicle, he said it "feels good, but I also feel relieved as I didn't want to give up in Jarrow and not get around," describing the atmosphere as "off the scale" and noting that "more people were out than I have ever seen before, everybody was supporting each other, and it was a truly wonderful occasion."
The Prime Minister, who has run the event before, said he wanted to show that he would "carry on doing what I do" despite his new role. "People said to me when I became Prime Minister: 'Don't change,'" he told the BBC, adding, "I've been doing the Great North Run for a few years, so I thought: 'Well, I'll live that now. I won't change. I'll come and do it again.'"
Fundraising for Changing Lives
Burnham was raising money for Changing Lives, a charity that supports more than 14,000 people each year facing homelessness. He visited the charity's Alex's Place service in Newcastle last month to launch a national drive to end rough sleeping. On his Just Giving page, he wrote: "I'm running the 45th Great North Run for Changing Lives because I've seen the difference they make with my own eyes."
He described visiting residents at Alex's Place, saying he "sat down with residents over a cup of tea and heard what it actually takes to rebuild a life once you've lost everything - not just a roof, but people who stick with you while you find your feet again." He called tackling homelessness "a moral mission for me" and reiterated his promise to end rough sleeping on his first day as PM.
The Prime Minister also made his first salary donation to the charity on the day of the run, giving 15% of his first month's salary after promising to donate a share of his wages to charity each month. His fundraising page had raised £9,480 so far, according to LBC. Stephen Bell, Chief Executive of Changing Lives, said: "We're delighted that Andy is running for Changing Lives and grateful to everyone who gets behind him."
Praise for the North East and the event
Burnham used the occasion to highlight the North East, telling the BBC the region "doesn't always get the attention it deserves" and that it was "good for the whole country to have its eyes on this wonderful part of the world today." In his interview with theEvening Chronicle, he called the Great North Run "the best sporting event in the British calendar," adding, "what other event brings 65,000 people together."
He also joked about running alongside former footballer Peter Reid, saying, "I thought I'll run with someone who is more unpopular than me in Newcastle so he gets all the flack, so god bless Peter Reid for stepping forward and fulfilling that role."
Noting that more under-25s had signed up than ever before, Burnham said "the running revolution is gathering pace." He also revealed he had donated to the charity out of his salary, and said he would love to visit the Crown Posada pub in Newcastle, "one of my favourite pubs."
The Great North Run, now in its 45th year, saw its biggest-ever field of 63,000 runners. Organisers estimate it has raised more than £450 million for good causes since 1981, with that figure likely to reach half a billion pounds within the next two years, according to theDaily Mirror.