The Westmorland Gazette's Michaela Robinson-Tate enjoyed a weekend to remember after clinching a personal best in the BUPA Great North Run.

Deputy head of content Michaela recorded a time of 2hrs 23mins, shaving five minutes off last year's time.

The journalist ran in support of the New Holehird charity, which is aiming to raise £2.8m to save a Windermere home for disabled people from closure.

And although Michaela secured an improved time, she believes illness robbed her of greater success.

She said: "I felt I could have run a bit faster but I was very poorly the night before with sickness."

But despite bad health, a marriage of tough training and adrenalin inspired Michaela to finish the Tyneside race.

She said: "The atmosphere was brilliant with crowds thronging the streets and cheering you on.

"The last mile along the seafront at South Shields is so hard but then the crowds, the euphoria and the thought of finishing spur you on."

In completing the fundraiser, Michaela now expects to donate £500 to the New Holehird charity.

The 13.1 mile route from Newcastle to South Shields is the biggest half marathon in the world and this year attracted over 47,000 entries.

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