A trio of sports journalists from the Scunthorpe Telegraph took part in their own sporting challenge at the weekend when they completed the Great North Run.

Sports reporters Mark Whiley, Jamie Goodwin and James Pallatt were among the thousands who took to the streets of Newcastle and South Shields for the 13 mile race, and proved they are no slouches.

James, (28), crossed the finishing line after 2h 3m, Mark, (23), followed closely behind with a time of 2h 10m, and Jamie, (25), completed the course in 2h 14m.

Between them they also raised more than £700 for the Rainbow Trust children’s charity.

Mark said: “The first eight or nine miles went really well. The last few miles were a bit tricky because of the heat, but I managed to run it all – it was actually a bit easier than I thought it would be!

“For me, I would have been pleased with anything between two and two-and-a-half hours, and at one point I thought I might even do it in under two, but I had to slow down towards the end.”

James was also delighted with his time.

He said: “I would have been pleased with anything less than three hours. It was good to run alongside each other to start with and that carried us along. And once we got into our stride the crowd carried us through.

“I really enjoyed it and want to do it again next year.”

Shields Gazette reporter Chris Robinson was also among the runners, finishing the course in 2h 20m.

In doing so the 22-year-old also raised £350 for the Terrence Higgins Trust.

He said: “I couldn’t run a mile when I was younger. It was an emotional experience and my legs are aching now, but it was all in a good cause and I want to do it again next year – everyone should do it.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better crowd, everyone was so nice, cheering us on and giving us ice lollies. You got 100 per cent from the runners but 110 per cent from the crowd.

“No matter what pain I went through I wouldn’t swap it for the world.”