On Tuesday night I lined up – just about – for the Sunshine Run 2025, our annual charity 5K along the Newcastle Quayside.
And I mean “just about.” We arrived with maybe 5 -10 minutes to spare. Joe isn’t one for waiting in a queue, so we did what we could – a short wander with the buggy, eyes scanning for a break in the field. We joined somewhere mid to the back of the pack in a dense crowd, with the usual mix of headphones, bouncing kids, high-vis volunteers, and a few nervous glances at the clouds.
Thankfully, the weather held: 18 – 19°C, dry, no wind. Just warm enough to work up a real sweat.
💛 Running for More Than Time
The Chronicle Sunshine Fund once again hosted the event, with over 200 runners painting the Quayside yellow to raise money for children with disabilities across the North East.
This charity helped us personally. With support from them and Freedom for Kids, we received the specialist buggy that lets us do events like this. They made it possible for Joe and I to show up – not just for ourselves, but for others. There are so many running events that flatly ban you running with a buggy, the Sunshine Run isn’t one of them.
So yes, I was chasing a better time than last year… but I was also running because someone once helped us, and this is one way I get to give something back.
🟠 2025 vs 2024 – Numbers That Tell a Story
| 2024 | 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Finish Time | 35:44 | 31:37 |
| Net Time | 34:51 | 30:55 |
| Fundraised | £670 (47 backers) | £517 (43 backers) |
The Run Itself
The start was tight. I clipped the foot of a man who crossed in front – no injuries, thankfully, and probably equal parts my wheel control and his lane change. Once we found space, I started calling:
“Passing on your left!”
“Passing on your right!”
Most responded. A few people don’t know their left from their right – or maybe they just fancied making things interesting.
We picked up pace when the gaps opened, thanked every marshal, and settled into a rhythm. I didn’t stop pushing – not the buggy, not the pace. On the last stretch back towards the finish, there was a back and forth between me and another guy. Whenever I caught up on his recovery he’d take off again. So I built the momentum going to the finishing funnel and I wasn’t letting it go. A solid sprint effort and we crossed the line knowing we’d gone quicker, cleaner, and harder than last year.
Final Thoughts
This run isn’t just about a medal or a timer. It’s about doing what we can – showing up with everything we’ve got that day. Even if that means human traffic, cutting it close, and hoping your kid’s sensory balance holds just long enough.
I’m proud of what we raised. I’m proud of how we ran.
And if we passed you shouting “Left!” or “Right!” thanks for moving. Mostly.
