'I can't thank you enough'
A Sunderland dad-of-three who is battling a rare form of cancer has completed the Great North Run ahead of taking on the London Marathon next month.
Chris Johnson, from High Barnes, completed the iconic half-marathon on Sunday, with a personal best time of two hours, 11 minutes and 59 seconds.
The 42-year-old was running on behalf of Children with Cancer UK – a charity which he has over £18,000 for with the help of Gift Aid in an online fundraiser.
After being diagnosed in December 2019 with a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), which doctors told him was incurable, Chris set his sights on running the London Marathon.
In recent months, Chris has climbed Scafell Pike, completed the Sunderland 10K and now the Great North Run as preparation for his biggest challenge in October.
He said: “The Great North Run is something special, even despite the change of course, but I enjoyed it.
"It was a bit tougher than normal given the amount of hills that were in the run but I think the organisers did well, especially keeping the atmosphere throughout Newcastle city centre.
"I’m not as confident for the London Marathon as I was the Great North Run but I will get round it, even if I have to walk some of the way.
"There is three weeks to go so I’m going to continue training but not push myself too hard as I don’t want to risk getting an injury before it."
Chris’ fundraising page will run until after he takes part in the London Marathon .
He has set himself an ambitious target ahead of the
event and even looked ahead to next year.
He added: “I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support and the donations that I have received,.
"I never would have dreamed at the start that I would have raised as much as I have.
“Most of my support still comes from Sunderland and the North East so it would be great if we can get to £20,000 with Gift Aid.
"I’d love to be fit enough to take part in the Great North Run next year as it would be nice to end it in South Shields.
"But if this was my last, it was an excellent one to finish with.”