In September Colin Stewart and Neil Rostance are running nearly 140 miles from Manchester to Newcastle and then competing in the Great North Run 2010. The run is raising money for Age UK and we would love you to sponsor us var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-1410304-4’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Tumblr (3.0; @takethelongroadandrunit)http://takethelongroad.co.uk/<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kkkMaMd5i_A?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Here is 10 minutes of allllll the videos we couldn’t post when we were running. </p> <p>Shows how tough it was at some points and a really low point sat on a roundabout 15 miles from Newcastle. It’s quite nice to look back one week ago to see how much we achieved in 6 days!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1184631020http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1184631020Sat, 25 Sep 2010 08:41:31 -0400<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l90bua69wZ1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>So…we did it, we ran from Manchester to Newcastle and then ran the Great North run. As you might imagine we’re pretty shattered, battered and splattered with rain as Newcastle gave us a welcome to match Manchester’s send off by absolutely friggin’ lashing it down.</p> <p>Steven Chase and Kate Blatherwick joined us for the last leg and we even managed to sneak Sam in to run the first few miles with us (don’t tell anyone)</p> <p>The last 13 point something-or-other miles were tough. I think we let ourselves finish mentally on Tyne Bridge the day before and we really dragged ourselves through. Colin has injured his leg and Sam says I might’v got a stress fracture in my foot (we’re not sure though, all I know is I’m walking like a toddler and crying like a newborn)</p> <p>Anyway, most importantly, with your help we have managed to raise over £1,500 (including offline donations which will be updates to JustGiving soon)</p> <p>Thank you so much for joining us on this adventure, both Colin Sam and myself have had such a great time on this challenge and even in the steepest, wettest hills all of your messages made a difference, well, apart from the 4th marathon as we had no signal and lost the ability to read.</p> <p>We really loved raising money for Age UK and they gave us a very warm welcome at the end of the Great North Run (with a pretty amazing sports massage and a fancy bottle of bubbly)</p> <p>Wait, where are you going? I’m not finished with you! Over the next few days we’ll update all the photos, videos, stories that we couldn’t update due to lack of signal or had eye co-ordination. So stay tuned you lovely people!</p> <p>For now though, thank you once again for coming along with us and helping us make it an incredible adventure!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1151250786http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1151250786Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:37:59 -0400<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8ykjeH8MN1qd5xuzo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Job done! Well…apart from the Great North Run tomorrow.</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1145006835http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1145006835Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:52:09 -0400<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8y8qdJ4uG1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>We did it!!!! Going to update more later after some well earned Newcastle Brown Ale!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1143702968http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1143702968Sat, 18 Sep 2010 11:37:01 -0400<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8oss64zmV1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Holy moly! look at this place! We’ve just arrived in Redworth which means we’ve just finished our 4th marathon. We’re checking in at t<span>he </span><span>Barceló Redworth Hall and it’s a proper beauty. Shame most of our time here will be spent completely unconscious recovering for our 5th and final marathon, because it’s really quite posh and lovely here. The staff here gave us an unbelievable donation of accommodation and we really are very thankful!</span></p> <p><span>Click the picture to go straight to their website.</span></p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1143364672http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1143364672Sat, 18 Sep 2010 08:01:21 -0400<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8xwi6LxuC1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Colin has had a pretty tough one today</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1142682028http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1142682028Sat, 18 Sep 2010 07:13:06 -0400<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8xwfcDj3h1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Sam treating a battered and worn out Neil</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1142677149http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1142677149Sat, 18 Sep 2010 07:11:36 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8xhv6PrEj1qd5xuzo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This is how far we’ve ran so far! Nearly 100 miles!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1141717529http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1141717529Sat, 18 Sep 2010 01:57:06 -0400<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8wu6ePUiM1qd5xuzo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Today we ran from Leyburn to Redworth which was one of the toughest things we’ve ever had to do. Sam single handedly got us through it with his motivation and first aid. Neil has injured his foot and Colin as problems with right leg but Sam was quick as a flash to sort it out and get us moving again.</p> <p>We’ve had so many people donating, clapping and cheering in the street it’s been amazing. Everyone has really got behind the challenge and we probably would have fallen to pieces a LONG while ago without everyones support so thanks!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1139239220http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1139239220Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:24:39 -0400<p>One thing we didn’t plan for when promising to deliver a blow by blow account of our marathons was two main things:</p> <p>1) Complete lack of o2 coverage in the entire North East and Yorkshire. 2) The iPhone being completely incapable of having battery life enough to last 5 pictures, maps and a blog update in one day.</p> <p>But we will upload all the stuff we’ve shot as soon as we can!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1139218867http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1139218867Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:20:59 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8w4l0Y7gP1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Made it to Richmond!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1137153729http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1137153729Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:12:35 -0400<img src="http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8w4ilXndD1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Dodging tanks on the way to Richmond</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1137149259http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1137149259Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:11:01 -0400<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Taa0Oml98">Sorry for the delay you lot! Here is the video for day two! Day three coming up soon!</a>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1136407314http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1136407314Fri, 17 Sep 2010 03:24:34 -0400<p>So we are sat eating in the Golden Lion Hotel Leyburn after day 3 and wanted to give each of our round up on marathon number 3….</p> <p>SAM: So, I’m about a whole foot shorter than when we began courtesy of a bag that weighs the same as a baby giraffe, and only running, of all things, relieves the pain. Joy! However, it’s worth it- loving the whole challenge and the good it’s doing. The boys will smash it…</p> <p>COLIN: Today was truly marvellous. It was splendid as ever to look on in horror as my mind unravelled before me. I became slowly disgusted by the countryside and am looking forward to seeing filth pumped into the atmosphere once again. Roll on day 4!</p> <p>NEIL: Today was hard, I ain’t gonna lie. The road was just winding away in the distance to a never ending hill. To make matters worse, and I’ll try to put this in the least gruesome way, I a man with one less toenail. Yep, I only realised until we got back too. Pretty awful. So if that’s not enough reason to donate what is!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1133140930http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1133140930Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:25:54 -0400<img src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8ut7vXOxy1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>These hills knocked every ounce of energy out of us.</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1133074306http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1133074306Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:09:25 -0400<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8ut37BwMm1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This was one of the toughest hills of the day. Mile after mile of relentless hills. Lots of swearing, grunting and motivational noises to each other.</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1133062968http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1133062968Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:06:35 -0400<img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8u4935quy1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Setting off from Grassington on marathon number 3. Please help us reach the £1000 mark today by spreading the word and sponsoring us!</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1131318797http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1131318797Thu, 16 Sep 2010 06:08:08 -0400<img src="http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8twnws8pk1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This doesn’t look like much but it was 3 miles of relentless, endless uphill. You can just make out Colin in the distance as he’s pretty much unstoppable. Neil on the other hand nearly blubbed like a baby it was pretty damn tough.</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1130925567http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1130925567Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:21:17 -0400<img src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8tvzkyCCp1qd5xuzo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Yesterday we passed through Colne, Skipton and finished in Grassington. It was a long tough run but much better than the first day. We’re all now seeing first signs of our bodies falling apart but Sam has a first aid kit and he’s not afraid to use it.</p> <p>We also had a visit from a very kind man called Max and his wife who tracked us down along the road and brought us water and sweets. It was a very good boost!</p> <p>Lots of people beeping, waving and wishing us luck. It’s a good feeling to be doing something great and thats helping get through some HORRIBLE hills.</p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1130888195http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1130888195Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:09:09 -0400<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l8n4bpNZ4V1qd5xuzo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>So! Tonight! We’re checking into this wonderful place. The Black Horse Grassington is right in the centre of Grassington and such a lovely place. There are loads of little cool cafe’s, shops and pubs and then a little walk down the countryside just opens up. It’s very lovely. John at the hotel was kind enough to put us up tonight and we’re eternally grateful! This place is only 50 miles from Manchester so if you’re looking for a country getaway without being stuck in traffic (we ran here…it ain’t that bad!..) then this is really worth checking out, or in….</p> <p>I’m tired.</p> <p><span>Click the picture to go straight to their website.</span></p>http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1128354403http://takethelongroad.co.uk/post/1128354403Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:00:00 -0400