Teesdale couple set to ditch their wedding guests for Great North Run

May 18, 2015

Author: Alyssa Holroyd

A COUPLE plan to make a dash from the altar so they can take part in the Great North Run.

Guests at the nuptials of Nik Lamont and Tracy Young will be left standing at the Great North Museum: Hancock, in Newcastle, on September 13, as the couple ditch their finery and don their trainers to take part in the race - just seconds after tying the knot.

The couple, from Hamsterley, in County Durham, got engaged shortly after finishing the world famous half marathon in 2013 and now they have planned their big day around their fifth entry in the race.

"We’ll have to do the whole wedding backwards," said gardening business owner, Mr Lamont, 43.

"We’ll have to run like mad to get to the start on time, but we’re pretty sure we can do it."

picture: gold bridesmaid dresses

Their big day will begin at 9am, when the museum’s catering team will serve them and their 30 guests with a specially created buffet wedding breakfast before the couple pose for their photographs and exchange their vows at 11am.

"That’s the very earliest you can get married on a Sunday in this country," Mr Lamont added.

"But if we keep the ceremony to no more than 20 minutes, we should be able to run to the starting line in around three minutes then we can start the race with minutes to spare."

Miss Young, a 35-year-old teacher, also plans to save time by wearing just token wedding garments over her running kit, namely a light-weight wedding dress.

Mr Lamont hopes to wear a top hat and tuxedo.

They have been together for three years and while neither wanted a big church wedding they were keen to do something a little different.

Mr Lamont said: "My initial thought was to get married at the finish line but we needed to be in a building.

"That’s where the idea came from for the reverse wedding.

"I don’t think we will be up for much partying afterwards anyway."

The couple, who will run together, are hoping to finish the 13.1 mile run in around two and a half hours and will then meet up again with their friends and family.