Captain Stephanie Bannon, Natalie Gutteridge, Sarah Unwin and Gemma Wilson all stepped up their pre-season preparations last Sunday, by taking part in the inaugural Bupa Great North 10k in Sunderland, to help raise funds for Grace House North East Children’s Hospice.

All girls managed to beat their previous 10k times from last years Bupa Great Women’s Run. Around 4,500 male and female runners took part, which included a city centre route and started and finished at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light. 

The girls ran in their Sunderland kit and were interviewed half way around the course for the Great Run programme broadcast on Channel 5. The girls were then invited to the VIP Hospitality on the day, into the Stadium of Light before and after the event, as guests of Nova International.

The run included celebrities, fun runners and elite athletes who lead the field including former Olympic marathon gold medalist Stefano Baldini and this years winner South African half marathon champion Stephen Mokoka. Olympian Kate Reid was the first Woman to finish.

Well done girls!