Sunderland aims to raise thousands for charity with Great North 10k

The finish line of the Great North 10k in Sunderland. The rain managed to hold out for the 5, 000 runners.

Sunderland’s Great North 10k aims to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The run which takes place on Sunday 18th of July is an annual event in Sunderland and thousands of runners are expected to take part.

The run, which is 10 kilometres, will start at the Wearmouth Bridge and finish at Sunderland football ground, The Stadium of Light. The runners will head into the city centre and then onto the coast.

Sunderland City Council’s Head of Culture and Tourism, Chris Alexander, said: “We are delighted that the Great North 10k – Sunderland has captured the public’s imagination and become so popular with runners.

“This is the second year we have hosted this great sporting event which takes runners on a route which showcases what our city has to offer.”

Sunderland Chairman, Niall Quinn, said: “This is a fantastic event for Sunderland and Sunderland Football Club is delighted to be a part of it.

“Moving the start to the Wearmouth Bridge will provide some spectacular images of the city and we are looking forward to welcoming thousands of runners to the Stadium of Light as they cross the finish line.”

Runners have to be over 15-years-old but there is a junior run suitable for boys and girls aged between 9 and 14-years-old, which is a distance of 2.4 kilometres.

BUPA Great North Run.  The race nears the 2k mark.

A participant in Sunderland’s Great North 10k, Charlotte Young, said: “I think it really brings the community together and gives you something to aim for. I’ve been training for the event so I don’t embarrass myself on the day.

“My friends and family are sponsoring me so as well as having a good day out I’ll be raising lots of money for charity.”

When entering the race, runners receive a race pack before the event with pre-information including their race number and timing chip.

Last year the event raised over £280, 000 and it is hoping to do just as well this year. To register and take part in the Bupa Great North 10k visit www.greatrun.org/Events

By Amy Brewster

Boxing bronze medallist: “If I wasn’t a boxer I would have been a car salesman.”

By Kelly Dunn

Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries is one of the most talented boxers to come out of the North East, he told Sunderland University students: “If I wasn’t a boxer I would have been a car salesman.”

Tony Jeffries fighting

He took part in a press conference talking about his life so far and what’s coming next. Jeffries has fought 95 amateur fights but turned professional last year and is already unbeaten in his 1st six fights, knocking four of his opponents out.

There alongside him was, Michael Bute who has written a book about Tony and is the brother of his first ever coach when he began boxing at the age of 10. He spoke about how determined Tony was at the Beijing Olympics saying: “Tony still won a bronze medal despite the fact he fought with three cracked ribs.”

Michael Bute's book

Jeffries had moved down to Manchester to train but is now back in his hometown and the hometown of his beloved Sunderland AFC. His trainer now travels up to Sunderland and stays Monday to Friday allowing Jeffries to spend time with his family, friends and girlfriend, who are his biggest fans.

The press conference was a great experience for journalism students of the University, Michael Briggs, 20, said: “I think having these kinds of events at University is fantastic as it’s providing the kind of experience we need, my shorthand came into play a lot.”

Jeffries last fight was on Thursday night and he weighed in at 12 stone, but after being weighed on Monday he is now at 13 stone.

He told students: “The other morning I had a box of Pringles for my breakfast just because I could”.

It seems even a professional boxer is allowed a break now and again.

However Jeffries needs to be prepared for his next fight, which is due to take place on the 4th June at Peterlee Leisure centre, if he wants to keep up his unbeaten record.

Tony Jeffries disappointed with lack of boxing coverage

The professional boxer told students how he wants to see more boxing on mainstream television.

Boxer won Olympic medal with injury

By Adam Brown

Sunderland boxer Tony Jeffries sensationally revealed to students that he won an Olympic bronze medal with three cracked ribs in a press conference on campus.

The Mighty Mackem answered questions from students and even revealed that he became Sunderland’s first ever Olympic medallist by fighting through the pain barrier as well as his opponents.

“I couldn’t let it get out in the media because my opponents would target them, but I fought three Olympic fights with cracked ribs.”

Tony Jeffries in training

Jeffries also commented on how difficult life is as a professional boxer, without the helping hands you receive as an Olympic amateur.  He said: “It is very different, you have to pay for any physiotherapy yourself, and money becomes more important.  The gyms I trained in before the Olympics were state of the art, with facilities that even Premiership football clubs don’t have.”

The media and public opinion will often get to people when it is negative, and Jeffries reflected on this, saying: “People say that I’m fighting people who aren’t as good as me and that I struggled on Friday, but you don’t realise that everyone from Muhammad Ali to Ricky Hatton has 10 or so winnable fights to build up confidence and their rep.  The difference is that my fights are televised because I won a bronze medal.”

Affectionately known as ‘Jaffa’, it is clear to see why he is so well liked.  His eyes lit up as he demonstrated punching and training, and it was obvious that his audience were hanging on his every word.

Sports Journalism student Michael Briggs said: “It was very useful, its not every day that you talk to someone as well known in sport as Jaffa.  It was just a basic Q&A session but it has given me some useful experience, and of course we found out about his injury.  What an achievement.”

Senior University lecturer for Sports Journalism John Price said: “The event was a real success – a useful and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

“Students had done their research and asked some great questions.

“And Tony Jeffries gave some very honest and interesting answers.  There was some stuff there for boxing specialists but also for sports fans in general.  He came across as a genuine and good bloke.”

The university will now be looking for more sportsmen and women to visit, please post your suggestions in a comment on this story.

5-a-side Team Denied Entry at Cityspace

A football 5-a-side team has suffered another setback in the fight to join a league at Sunderland University’s Cityspace venue.

‘Team Pasty Smasher’ have been rejected a second time by the organisers who run Cityspace’s football leagues.

The £12million flagship sport and social building has again seemed to let the sport side of the facility down.