Our North Run adventure actually started in the week before the race, because I had told the Run Organisers about Alice and RMHC and they had passed the details on to the Newcastle radio station, Metro Radio. 

Last Wednesday, we were contacted by Metros breakfast DJ, Tony Horne (Horne in the Morning) who tried to interview me but I was in a meeting so interviewed Miranda for about 10 minutes instead.  After the interview was broadcast, the radio station got loads of e-mails and calls from people who were affected by Alice’s story and the fundraising.  We thought that was the end of the coverage, but the best was yet to come…

We got to Newcastle very late Friday night so we could soak up some of the atmosphere on the Saturday before the race on the Sunday.  On the Saturday afternoon, we were contacted by the Metro DJ Tony Horne who had managed to secure me a VIP pass to the start line for the race (in with all the celebrity runners) and also for a meal in the VIP tent afterwards.  Not only that but he had two tickets to see Jason Donovan at a charity event that night at a hotel just up the road! We had Sam with us so we couldn’t both go, but Miranda was happy to go on her own.  Of course the next hour or so was spent shopping for new top/shoes/trousers/jewellery so that she could look good for Jason!  Needless to say, she had a great time seeing Jason, and actually got to touch his hand.

The morning of the race began early, with the coach dropping me at the start and taking Miranda and Sam onto the finish line.  The weather was cold but dry and the forecast was good.  I was wearing a blue RMHC running vest with “ROWLY” and  two pictures of Alice/Sam on the back and “Alive Mary Rowlands – 25 September-10 October 2008 love always, Dad” written on the back.  The atmosphere at the North Run is amazing and a few people came up to me and chatted about RMHC and Alice before the start.

At 10.40 the race was started by Tony Blair and the Olympic swimmer Rebecca

Adlington, Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmons.

I was near the start line, so got off quite quickly.  The sun was out at this point and it was starting to get quite warm.  After a few miles, I could start to feel my feet staring to blister which was painful, and a couple of ambulances went past us having picked up runners which is a very sobering sight. 

All the way through the run, people were patting me on the back and passing me with messages like “Alice would be proud” and “well done” and I have to admit that for the bulk of the race I either had tears in my eyes or was on the verge of crying.  But the support of everyone around me, and knowing that Alice was with me helped me get through. 

The last mile and a bit of the North Run takes you pass the coastline at South Shields, the Red Arrows were flying past and there are hundreds of people cheering you on and it is an amazing feeling.  Then I saw Miranda and Sam in the crowd so ran (hobbled) over to give them a kiss before crossing the line in 2 hrs 39 min 10 secs, which is a lot slower than I had hoped for but there is always next year.

Having finished the race, and collected my medal and T-shirt, I then went to the VIP marquee for my Sunday lunch.  It was a very posh marquee with free bar, free food and celebrities all around.  I was sat on a table with Tony, just next to Ray Stubbs; Brendan Foster came over to our table to say “hi”, Steve Cram was just behind us, as was Nell McAndrew and the legendary Kris Akabussi!  It was the most surreal experience since being surrounded by celebrities at last years RMHC Gala Dinner in London.  I only wished that I had my family (and my camera) with me!

We got home at 1am last night and then at 7am this morning, I was live on Metro radio chatting with Tony Horne – I thanked him and his listeners for their support, and also mentioned our website address again!  I will try and get hold of both of our radio slots so that you can listen to them.

So, a really brilliant weekend – very emotional, full of surprises, but another example of how my special little daughter continues to touch people’s lives.