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2025 Great North Run Review With Ben Gregoriou | Race Highlights & Insights

Ben Gregoriou shares his journey to the Great North Run. From his first steps into running to fundraising for the Silver Star Maternity Fund charity, race-day challenges, and future goals, Ben’s story highlights the motivation, community, and emotion behind every mile. Ben wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Prof Christopher Redmond at the Silver Star Unit in Oxford, who passed away in August 2024, so raising money for the charity from this run was especially important. HAVE A LISTEN TO THE...

Ben Gregoriou shares his journey to the Great North Run. From his first steps into running to fundraising for the Silver Star Maternity Fund charity, race-day challenges, and future goals, Ben’s story highlights the motivation, community, and emotion behind every mile. Ben wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Prof Christopher Redmond at the Silver Star Unit in Oxford, who passed away in August 2024, so raising money for the charity from this run was especially important. HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE When Ben Gregoriou lined up in the green wave of the Great North Run, he wasn’t just chasing a finish time. He was running in gratitude—for the care that saved his life, and for the community that helped him raise over £800 (and counting) for a cause close to his heart. In this Runner Stories feature from Sapphire Running Zone, Ben shares how he went from running for general fitness to completing one of the world’s most iconic half marathons—and why this race meant far more than a medal at the finish line in South Shields. A Personal Reason to Run Ben only got into running four or five years ago, initially “purely just for fitness and health reasons.” But as his confidence and race experience grew, entering the ballot for the Great North Run felt like a natural next step. When he secured a place, he decided to make it count. After considering several worthy causes, Ben chose to fundraise for the Silver Star Maternity Fund at Oxford Hospitals—the neonatal unit connected to his own start in life. “I was actually born six weeks premature… my mum had preeclampsia when she had me and also unfortunately lost two babies prior to having me. So it seemed like a bit of an apt choice to begin where it all started.” It’s hard to imagine a more powerful motivation. As Ben later reflected: “I wouldn’t be here without them really.” That sense of gratitude fuelled both his training and his fundraising efforts. A 20-Week Journey to the Great North Run Start Line Ben committed to a structured 19–20 week training plan, incorporating the Great North 10K as a key milestone along the way. The 10K helped him set a new PB and build confidence ahead of stepping up to the half marathon distance. His longest training run? 20km outdoors—just shy of the full 21.1km race distance. Interestingly, Ben also became a strong advocate for treadmill training, clocking up to 16–18km on the belt. “I think a lot of people aren’t particularly a fan of treadmill runs, but I think they play an integral part really in that training process.” By combining outdoor endurance runs with treadmill tempo sessions and strength work, he arrived at race week feeling prepared—though the nerves still crept in on the morning itself. Race Day: 60,000 Runners and Rolling Roads With around 60,000+ runners taking part, the scale of the Great North Run is a shock to the system—especially after months of solo training. Ben described the early part of the race, including the iconic Tyne Bridge crossing, as electric. But the course itself is more challenging than many first-timers expect. “It’s not by any means flat,” he explained. The gradients are rolling and relentless—never brutally steep, but rarely giving you full recovery. The first half felt strong. The second required digging deep. He hadn’t trained much with race nutrition and quickly realised the rolling course demanded more energy than expected. Thankfully, the North East crowd came through—offering sweets, orange segments, and encouragement throughout. As the miles ticked down and the sea came into view near South Shields, he remembered the advice he’d been given: don’t kick too early. The final straight, lined with supporters and with friends and family waiting near the 400m mark, carried him home in 2 hours 13 minutes—a result he’s proud of for his first half marathon. Fundraising Momentum—and a New Target Originally setting a £500 fundraising goal, Ben has already surpassed £800 through social media outreach, word of mouth, and the generosity of friends, family, and colleagues. “The kindness and generosity of people who I know and don’t know so well has been fantastic.” Now, the £1,000 mark is within reach. Unlike many runners who secure charity places, Ben entered through the ballot—meaning every pound raised goes directly to the cause rather than covering an entry fee. For him, the motivation goes beyond numbers: “If anyone’s considering doing something like the Great North Run… even if you get in with a ballot place, do it for charity.” What’s Next? Is a marathon on the cards? “Never say never,” Ben says. While a full marathon might feel like a stretch right now, another half marathon—and a sub-2-hour attempt—could well be next. Considering he only started running in the last five years, it’s already been a remarkable progression. From a premature baby in a neonatal unit to crossing one of the UK’s most famous finish lines, Ben’s story is a powerful reminder that running isn’t just about pace—it’s about purpose. And sometimes, the most meaningful finish lines are the ones that bring you back to where your journey began. HAVE A LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE

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