A BBC presenter has credited the Great North Run for helping change her life in a new book.
Sophie Raworth’s journey into running began with the Great North Run after being invited to take part in the iconic half marathon by Olympian Brendan Foster.
At the time, she was 38 years old, on maternity leave, and dealing with professional changes at the BBC.
With encouragement from her husband, Richard Winter, she decided to take on the challenge.
Ms Raworth said: "I’d had two kids very close together - they’re 18 months apart - and I wanted to get fit again.
"I mean, I just did no sport, nothing in my 20s and 30s."
That first race, which takes runners from Newcastle to South Shields, sparked a passion that has since seen her complete 20 marathons all over the world, including at least three ultra-marathons, and the full length of the Thames on foot.
She credits running with helping her navigate the pressures of her career and personal loss, including the deaths of her father, Richard, and her friend and BBC colleague, George Alagiah.
She describes running as a mental reset, a time of stillness and clarity amid her demanding schedule.
In her new book, Running On Air, Ms Raworth reflects on how the sport has grounded her, boosted her confidence, and introduced her to a supportive community.
Ms Raworth said: "It has made me feel very grounded and given me huge confidence."
Now 57 and still running four times a week, she continues to challenge herself with new goals and embraces the friendships she has formed through the sport.
She said: "I love the community that has grown up around running, because you think it’s a lonely sport.
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"They always talk about the loneliness of the long-distance runner, but I’ve discovered great friends."
Next on her bucket list is a mountain running adventure in the Alps, staying in high-altitude refuges and taking only the essentials for four or five days on the trails.
Running On Air: From BBC Headlines to Life-Changing Finish Lines by Sophie Raworth is published in hardback by Bloomsbury Sport and is now available for £20.
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