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09-13-2007, 10:40 pheasantfancier Joined on 09-13-2007 Posts 2 Number and group assignment Hello! I'm new here...and I'm a first time great north run runner and have just been given my number and group and I'm a bit disheartened to find that I'm at the back in group K.  Granted I haven't done a great run before but thought my submitted time would place me in a higher position.  Has anyone else been in the back group before and does it really affect your time - I'm expecting to finish in just over 2 hrs but this has really made me doubt my ability.  :( Any advice/help is much appreciated. Thanks   Gillian    Report

09-13-2007, 13:44 Mick String Joined on 05-03-2007 Posts 7 Re: Number and group assignment Hi. Like you, i'm a first Great North runner and i've been given number 45079 (or 75, I can't remember)  in group J. I'm looking for a time between 2 hours and 2 hours 10, but to be honest I just want to enjoy the day and the time is irrelevant to me. Looking at other websites, I get the feeling that the GNR isn't the race to do if your after beating your personal best. Due to the amount of people taking part. I don't think you should be disheartened. You should be chuffed to bits that you have a place. I hope this helps, Have a good run. Mick www.Justgiving.com/StringyGreatNorthRun    Report

09-14-2007, 16:54 sarah71 Joined on 09-14-2007 Posts 1 Re: Number and group assignment Gillian, I'm also near the back (in group J) for the run and it will take us ages to get across the start line, even the guide says we won't start till nearly an hour after the official mass start. However, we will have our microchips on to register the exact time we cross the start and finish line, so try to think of your 2 hours starting from when you cross the line, not when Paula Radcliffe does!! I have run the race before, and although the start will be busy you will have much more room as the race goes on, so hopefully you're target time won't be too badly affected. I guess they allocate the places nearer the front to people who have proven race times already. Hope this helps, don't feel too disheartened about being near the back Sarah        Report

09-18-2007, 11:51 cobblersmark Joined on 04-24-2007 Posts 16 Re: Number and group assignment Ok I'm worried now, I've got starting position in zone D!  I estimated a 2 hour to 2 hour 30 min time and it's my first GNR too.  Never mind, I'll give it my best. I wouldn't worry about positions though, when I done my first ever 10k in May, I was really nervous and started at the very back and soon found myself overtaking people, which was a good feeling.  At the end of the day, we are all there to enjoy ourselves so take in the moment and enjoy everyone. http://www.justgiving.com/markkennedy    Report

09-18-2007, 21:54 Frankie56 Joined on 09-18-2007 Posts 5 Re: Number and group assignment I'll be doing my 9th GNR and have always been placed 2/3 of the way towards the back. There was only one year where it took half an hour to reach the start line. Other years, it has been about 15-20 minutes. However, they have changed the start a bit so that less people will cross the line at the same time and so everyone will be more spaced out. As has been said, you will be wearing a chip which will record your start and finish times so how far towards the back you are won't make a difference to your run time. I agree this is not the run to try for a personal best. As there are so many people running, there will be times when there may be a group of people running together or someone who stops in front of you and you will need to slow down and go round them. Hopefully, this won't happen as much as in previous years as we should be more spaced out. (No tittering please. I don't mean 'high') lol    Report

09-23-2007, 16:05 curlygirl Joined on 09-23-2007 Posts 8 Re: Number and group assignment don't worry about it - 2 years ago I ended up much further forward than I should have been as I couldn't see the signs telling me where to start. As said with the microchip you'll get your exact time so don't worry.    Report

09-26-2007, 19:58 pheasantfancier Joined on 09-13-2007 Posts 2 Re: Number and group assignment Thanks eveyone - I'm kinda looking forward to it now. Everyone has reassured me and I'm just hoping we get decent weather now. Good Luck x    Report

09-28-2007, 19:51 curlygirl Joined on 09-23-2007 Posts 8 Re: Number and group assignment the forecast is good. I live in Shields and this week we've had a really strong north easterly wind but it's going to go there'll be a light south westerly breeze, a temp of 15 and broken cloud (If the BBC are accurate that is!!)    Report

09-28-2007, 20:25 cobblersmark Joined on 04-24-2007 Posts 16 Re: Number and group assignment Good conditions, not too hot then. http://www.justgiving.com/markkennedy    Report

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