IT WAS a family affair for three runners from Mid Beds when they headed up to Newcastle to take part in the Great North Run. The three sisters from London Road in Biggles-wade were among the thousands of runners tackling the 13.1-mile course on Sunday. Sa

IT WAS a family affair for three runners from Mid Beds when they headed up to Newcastle to take part in the Great North Run.

The three sisters from London Road in Biggles-wade were among the thousands of runners tackling the 13.1-mile course on Sunday.

Sally, Lynsay and Katy Pickard all successfully completed the run despite suffering from a knee problem, nausea and blisters respectively.

Sally, 27, who is a nurse at Lister Hospital, ran to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Lynsay, 24, a community children's nurse in Bedford, raised money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Katy, an operating department practitioner at the QEII in Welwyn Garden City, ran for the Meningitis Trust.

As well as the three girls, five family members made the trip to Newcastle to cheer them along.

Sally said: "It was a good atmosphere. People had come out of their houses with orange segments, sweets, biscuits and water for us and there were lots of children wanting a high five.

"It was also nice to have our family there to support us."

Also among the runners were Stevenage residents Nick Groves, 25, and Greg Collins, 27.

The pair, who both work for Norwich Union, were among the 889 runners raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support

Greg said: "It was absolutely fulfilling - really hard work but a great achievement.

"This was our first Great North Run and we completed it in two hours and 30 minutes, which we are happy with."

Jo Sims, 27, a volunteer at Sue Ryder Care in Stagenhoe Park near Whitwell, ran to raise money for the healthcare charity.

She made it round the course in just two hours, and has exceeded her target of raising £750.

A group of Letchworth GC mums who took part hope to raise £1,000 for the aid agency CAFOD.

Catherine Morgan, 42, Elaine McCorriston, 36, and Mary Ryan, 39, joined a 177-strong CAFOD team that also included Footballers' Wives and Casualty star Ben Price.

The mothers, whose children all attend St. Thomas More Primary School, stuck together the whole way round the course and finished in two hours and 13 minutes.

Mother-of-three Catherine admitted she had been nervous about taking part in the world's biggest half marathon, saying: "I was really apprehensive, particularly about the large crowds, but it was fine. My legs feel a bit funny now, but I'm really pleased that we made it around.