A NORTH-EAST charity is putting New Year plans in place to help people to get fit throughout 2023 – with the world’s greatest half-marathon as the target.

The North East Autism Society (NEAS) is teaming up with the NHS in January to help supporters go from ‘Couch to 5k’ before progressing to a half-marathon training plan that builds up to the Great North Run on September 10.

The charity’s Fundraising Officer, Jon Appleton, said: “This is the time of year when lots of people are considering their New Year resolutions, so we want to help them make their minds up to get fit with us.

“The plans we are putting in place are free of charge and potentially life-changing, starting with the ‘Couch to 5k’ in January and using the Great North Run as the ultimate incentive.”

For the ‘Couch to 5k’ section, NEAS will be adopting a nine-week training plan, approved by the NHS, and aimed at finishing around Autism Acceptance Day on April 1. After that, the charity will be promoting the Great Run Company’s half-marathon training schedule.

A private NEAS group will be created for participants to share their progress and encourage each other on Facebook and Strava.

NEAS has a number of reserved places for the Great North Run, with entry costing £50 and participants asked to aim to raise £400 for the charity, which makes a huge difference to the lives of some of the region’s most vulnerable people.

Jon added: “This is the perfect opportunity for people to experience the North-East’s biggest mass participation event that draws enthusiasts from all over the country and beyond to take the challenge.

“The time that runners take to complete the distance doesn’t matter. It’s all about getting out there and experiencing the magic atmosphere created by the people of the North-East, while raising vital funds for a great cause. We’d love people to join us on journey – and it starts in January!”

Participants can just join the Couch to 5k section, without progressing to the half-marathon stage, if they wish.

NEAS will have a tent at the end of the Great North Run course, in South Shields, to welcome finishers and congratulate them.

All participants will receive a Team NEAS running vest to wear on the day, plus a pack containing training, nutrition and fundraising advice. They will also receive support from a dedicated member of the NEAS fundraising team throughout the build-up to the event.