We Are the GNR – Tracy and Callum Wilson

For the last 44 years, ordinary people doing extraordinary things has been the bedrock of the Great North Run. They are the Great North Run. The lifeblood of this iconic event, pounding the 13.1-mile route from city to sea, each one carrying their story with every step. 

Among them this year are Tracy and Callum Wilson, a mother-and-son team from Selby. And while every Great North Run runner brings something unique to the start line, their bond brings something truly special: Tracy is registered blind, and Callum will be running as her guide. 

“Running side by side is symbolic in so many ways,” Tracy says. “We’ve each faced challenges, which makes this race incredibly meaningful for both of us.”

Callum, 27, has never taken on a challenge like this before. But when his mum asked him to be her guide runner, he didn’t hesitate. 

“My mum is my biggest inspiration” he says. “Her determination to take on the Great North Run despite her visual impairment motivated me to become her guide runner. She’s turning 50 this year and wanted to do something bold—so here we are.” 

For Tracy, the decision to finally sign up for the GNR wasn’t just about a milestone birthday. It was about seizing the moment and standing tall in the face of adversity. 

“The Great North Run has been on my ‘one day’ list for years,” she says. “This year, I stopped saying ‘one day’ and said, ‘why not now?’. My kids inspire me every day just by being themselves, so I’ll have them in mind the whole time.” 

Callum, who has openly shared his own struggles with mental health and a suicide attempt four years ago, says the journey to the GNR is about more than just miles, it’s about meaning. 

“I’m running for Mind,” he says. “It’s about raising awareness, yes – but more than anything, it’s about saying you’re not alone. If sharing my story helps even one person feel seen, then it’s worth it.” 

Tracy is fundraising for Young Minds and Everyday Enable, causes that reflect both her personal and professional mission as a counsellor, a mother, and an advocate for inclusion and support. 

“I want this run to show what’s possible when people feel supported,” she says. “You don’t need perfect conditions to start, you just need purpose.” 

Training together has been a new adventure for them both. For Callum, it’s about pacing and guiding. For Tracy, it’s about trust and building up confidence and consistency. 

“We’re still learning how to run together, but we’ve got our rhythm now. One step at a time.” says Tracy.  

From treadmill 10Ks to outdoor runs, Tracy has slowly but steadily built her base. Callum, juggling work and life, admits his training has been more “stop-start” but finishing the race, not the clock, is what matters most. 

“We’re not chasing a time,” Callum says. “We just want to cross that finish line side by side. That’s the goal.” 

And when they do, it will mark more than just the end of a 13.1-mile journey. It will be the culmination of years of resilience, love, and shared strength. It will be a moment that speaks not just to their past, but to their future. 

Some have completed every Great North Run since 1981. For many, like Tracy and Callum, 2025 will be their first. But every runner, every story, adds something vital to the spirit of the race. 

Callum puts it simply: “Last year, I watched from the sidelines and thought, ‘maybe one day.’ This year, I’m doing it with my mum, for something that matters.” 

Their advice for anyone considering the GNR? 

“Do it,” Callum says. “Whether you run, jog or walk, just go for it. The crowd isn’t judging your time – they’re cheering for your courage.” 

“You don’t have to wait until you’re ready,” Tracy adds. “Start where you are. Let your reason carry you through.” 

As they prepare to join thousands of others on the famous course this September, Tracy and Callum carry more than just each other—they carry hope, healing, and the quiet strength that comes from standing up and stepping forward, together. 

Every one is a story. But together, we are the Great North Run. 

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