It’s that time of year. The streets are full of runners, physiotherapists are fully booked, and I’m badgering friends to part with their money. Yes, it’s Great North Run season (Sep 7, Newcastle). And this year, the millionth runner will cross the finishing line – a world first. No other mass-participation running event has reached one million participants.

And, yes, I’m doing the Run (hoping not to be that millionth person; too embarrassing) fund-raising for The Stroke Association. In a moment of madness, I also signed up to take part in the Opening Ceremony (Sep 4). This will be a musical-dramatic-pyrotechnic-acrobatic-magical lighting-all-singing-all-dancing spectacular on the Quayside with around 1000 volunteers shaking their booty. Stories of the north-east’s shipbuilding and coal-mining heritage, together with its inventor and sporting heroes, will be told. A bit like the Olympics, but with a definite northern twang.

The air will be electric with Geordie good humour. Come along!