We are the GNR: Samantha Thompson

For 44 years, ordinary people doing extraordinary things has been the bedrock of the Great North Run. They are the Great North Run!

Whether 2025 is their first AJ Bell Great North Run, or they have completed many, our runners will stand on the startline alone but run together, united by this great event. Many will run for those they love and those they have lost – their names of their backs to push them forward.

Samantha Thompson from South Shields is one such runner, taking on the Great North Run for the second time to raise money for Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

For Samantha her biggest inspiration, powering her through every mile, is her 2 year old son Bobby. At just three months old Bobby was admitted to the Freeman Hospital with heart failure; this is where they then stayed for over 4 months in which time Bobby endured multiple surgeries and extensive treatment.

During this, time Samantha describes CHUF as a lifeline for the family – helping in both practical and emotional ways. “They provided meal tokens so we could eat as a family, funded V-Create (a secure video messaging service used in hospitals to help keep families connected when their child is in hospital, especially in intensive care) so we could stay connected to Bobby when we couldn’t be with him, and above all, they supported our daughter with play staff where there with a listening ear. From sibling nights to pizza parties and crafts, CHUF was the calm in a storm which we all benefitted from.”

Samantha’s goal? To give back to this amazing charity and raise as much money as possible so other families can benefit from CHUF’s support, just as hers did.

“Taking part in the Great North Run lets me give something back to a cause that’s been there for us through the worst time of our lives. It’s about honouring that journey and helping others.”

The AJ Bell Great North Run is made up of many stories like Samantha’s – stories of strength, resilience, and heart. Her advice for anyone considering their first Great North Run?

“Enjoy every second. Soak up the atmosphere, the crowds, the support. We are all winners regardless of the time you finish.”

Sign up for the 2026 Ballot Reminder here, and we’ll send an email straight to your inbox as soon the September Ballot for the 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run opens.