VIVA’s very own running machine gearing up for the Great North Run!

''I am determined for the memory of Claire to succeed!’’

How do you like to spend your Sundays?

Perhaps a lazy lie in with breakfast in bed followed by a relaxing stroll along the beach, maybe some cleaning and preparing for the work week ahead…

Well not for a certain VIVA employee…

On Sunday 15 September 2013, VIVA’s very own running machine, Michael Niven will be challenging himself to a 13.1 mile run (that’s 21.08km for you metric lot) past some of Newcastle’s most popular landmarks on the Great North Run in aid of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.

Please find his donation page here.

After a close friend of his, Claire McCracken, sadly lost her battle to cervical cancer at only 33 years old, Michael has found himself on a personal mission to raise awareness of the ‘‘easily preventable’’ disease…

‘’She was a lovely girl who lived life to the full’’, Michael explains.

The Great North Run hosts over 100,000 runners (walkers are also welcome) with fundraising at the very core of the famous event, having raised millions for numerous different charities and worthy ventures since the very first staging of the half marathon in 1981.

Starting in Newcastle, the course begins its 13.1 mile journey at the iconic Tyne Bridge, following through to Gateshead passing the famous international athletics stadium before finishing in the coastal town of South Shields.

An avid runner himself, covering 70 – 100km every week and a devoted member of the Club de Atletismo Torremolinos, Michael, who first joined VIVA back in 2000, should find the half marathon no problem. This is not his first Charity run either, not by a long stretch!

Feeling positive about the upcoming challenge, Michael reveals he has been on the podium 4 times already this year and confidently explains he is ”determined for the memory of Claire to succeed!’’

Michael, who is also a keen photographer when he’s not working hard as VIVA’s Vendor Services Manager, completed his first competitive run back in 1989 and has had the bug ever since! Having completed various half and full marathons over the years, perhaps Michael can thank his personal trainer who has him up at 6am to go running every morning… a 5 year old Pointer, Podenco cross, Ringo!

So now, alongside two good friends, Lianna and Joanna, who were also mutual friends of Claire, the 3 amigos will embrace the 13.1 mile challenge with anticipation and hopefully reach and exceed their fundraising target.

So, come on everyone, what are we waiting for!… Let’s all show our support for Michael, Lianna and Joanna in their inspirational endeavour for this worthy cause by visiting his sponsorship page.

And good luck Michael, we’ll all be thinking of you!