Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Kim and Abbie Bowler ran Great North Run 2008 to raise money for Kidney Research UK.

They also ran the race in 2007, and Kim got in touch with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Tyne to tell us how it felt like a homecoming, because she was born in South Shields.

You can read the full story below, but first Kim tells us how they got on in 2008.

The start of Great North Run 2008

Kim and Abbie's Great North Run 2008:

"What a brilliant day! The weather was just an added bonus, the crowd was amazing and the feeling of completing the race was extremely rewarding.

"The people we met throughout the day were so friendly and encouraging, each with their own story to tell.

"It was fantastic seeing our family again cheering us on and joining in the fun of the whole day. Looking back the Red Arrows put a smile on our faces as we knew we were near the finish line.

"We would just like to thank everyone again for all the support we received"

Read Kim's original piece about why they decided to run the Great North Run:

I have watched the Great North Run every year on TV but 2006 was the year I thought "I would like to do that. It must be amazing running across the Tyne Bridge with all those people raising money for charity."

I decided there and then I was going to apply for a place for the following year and as my brother was having kidney dialysis I applied to run for Kidney Research UK.Μύ

IΜύconvinced my daughter Abbie to join me and so the training began.

Kim and Abbie before GNR 2007

Fantastic time

As I was a couch potato I don't think anyone really thought I would go through with it.

I was born in South Shields but moved to Nottinghamshire in 1968 after Dad's pit closed down and thought it would be great to go back to the "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Land" with all my family meeting the rest we left behind.

Seeing sights we hadn't seen for so long, catching up with old and new family members, it was all part of our unforgettable Great North Run.Μύ

Meeting aunts and cousins again after 10 years (I couldn't believe it had been that long), we all had a fantasticΜύtime.

I can'tΜύdescribe how I felt. I was overwhelmed. The support was unbelievable and theΜύ atmosphere was indescribable - you have to be there to know how it feels.

All those people turning out to cheer, offering ice-pops, drinks, snacks and high fives. I just wished there was some way to thank everyone for all the support - it really helps.

So here it is: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

The only down side for me was we didn't finish together so here we are going for it again in 2008, my 50th year.

We wanted to beat our times but don't think it's going to happen so we are going for more fun and dressing up in bee costumes.

We managed to raise Β£500 for Kidney Research UK and hope to beat that this year.