2016 Highlights Athletics: Great Manchester Run

Welcome to highlights of the 14th Great Manchester Run, once again

that streets will be graced by some of the world didn't best runners on

the most enthusiastic amateurs. Foremost they are not running to

win, they are running for a reason. I always feel that anything is

possible when I go out for a run and when I do my racing it is the little

achievement that counts for me. I just went to the gym one day and

realised I am enjoying this, slowly I started to see progress, my heart

rate dropping off, my jeans size getting law on my T-shirt size

dropping off and I was 8.5 stones lighter. Running has helped me

mentally through some tough times, the world has been on my shoulders,

over the last few years I have gone through depression and stress and

anxiety, if I didn't have running, I don't think I would be here today.

The best advice I can give, really, if you are out there running,

however slow or fast it is, you are running faster than the person sat

on the couch, put your shoes on, get out there and run.

Now we will tell you what is coming up, so much to look forward to.

There is no doubt that Manchester is one of the hot heads of sport in the

UK and this weekend certainly encapsulates that. From the games on

Friday night through to the next generation taking part in the mini

run at the Etihad Stadium. Anthony Crolla will be running again this

year and he has recruited an army to do it with him, couldn't as for

anyone better to motivate them. So money on taking to the streets this

morning and into this afternoon and so money emotional and inspirational

stories to tell about why they have chosen to take on a challenge of

running 10,000 metres. And six Olympic gold medals between them, it

only begins to tell the story of the brilliant Ethiopian jewel of Dibaba

and Bekele. They head up the elite field. It is also a day tinged with

sadness because a great friend and supporter of the Great Manchester

Run is no longer with us, I'm sure you all remember Kirsty at the

Commonwealth Games in 2002 when she and David Beckham presented the

Jubilee batted to the Queen, Kirsty with the 20 kilograms oxygen tank

she needed because of the incredibly rare illness and has been part of

the run since the beginning in 2003, the Finder medical odds to live as

long as she did on raising many millions of pounds in the process.

long as she did on raising many Alongside me as one of her sisters

and Phil Taylor, part of the charity. Incredibly sad that Kirsty

is not here, she has been a big part of the Great Manchester Run, just

tell me how proud you are of the Great Manchester Run, just

sister and what she achieved? Words cannot put in how proud

sister and what she achieved? Words done this run twice before and

sister and what she achieved? Words year I say I will never do it again

and this year is the third time round. Now she cannot do it herself,

I feel like I have to step up because she did so much, I need to

take her place and do it for her. She was so selfless with all the

challenges she had in her life to focus all much on doing good for

others was inspirational. Definitely and you never once mourned, when she

didn't feel too great she just got on with it and took thing she had so

much going on and she never mourned and I want to race for her. Wood

tell us about the charity and the money that Kirsty raised? The

charity first started with the Kirsty appeal which raised ?5

million to secure the hospice. We reached the ?5 million in

million to secure the hospice. We 2006 and we launched another

campaign to raise ?3.5 million to build France's Lodge, which is the

juvenile section. We have built that and the Kirsty club is raising funds

to help France's's has because it costs ?4 million per year to run it

annually. We saw David Beckham and this is a message that David sent.

It is amazing what she achieved and I guess when she was born and just

growing up and all the challenges she had, but she thought she wasn't

going to survive beyond four. She has achieved a lot in the short time

she is here, than what has achieved a lot in the short time

lifetime of 100 years could have achieved, received numerous awards,

raised millions of pounds for charity and all for the benefit of

others as well as our self and charity and all for the benefit of

families benefit from the hard work she has done throughout her life. It

will be an emotional day for you, all the best. You will keep the

memory of Kirsty burning brightly and thanks for speaking to us. We

have got two roving reporters to bring you all the stories, former

British sprinter Jeanette, but Phil Jones is on the VIP bus. I am here

with one of our great 400-metre runners. Ieuan Thomas, TV presenter.

We have seen you on the marathon, the half marathon. It is not too

bad, ten K mentally, six and a bit miles as OK, still a long way,

people think you can run it. Venus printer, anything over half a mile

starts to hurt but if I am sensible and go off at a steady pace, 10,000

metres should be OK. You are running with a difference, you have got your

phone, selfie stick, what are you doing? Today is a strange one, I

will attempt a live broadcast for the whole event on this stick and

people can tune in on Periscope and watch me live, watch me go through

pain and smiles and hopefully not get slapped on the bottom by loads

of people when they overtake me, that's what happens to me, they give

me a little friendly pat. People can message you, they are already

messaging me what they can write it on the screen and it comes to Jimmy

and I just want to grab the essence of Manchester and show people what a

great event that is, the crowds are fantastic, at the moment the sun is

out which is rare for Manchester. I just want to show people what it is

like, a Birds Eye view of doing a great run series, the 10,000 metre

race. We will check in with the footage later in the coverage. I am

here with Joe Edwards who is taking part in today's Great Manchester

Run. These tell us why today isn't so important for you? My husband

Chris Edwards was treated at the Christie, was diagnosed with stomach

cancer in 2008 and the treatment and care he had from the hospital was

fantastic. I actually got pregnant during the time that Chris was ill

and had a little boy and I have no doubt that without that he wouldn't

be with me here today. Chris lost his battle with stomach cancer in

2010 and then I decided to do some fundraising, started off with a wok

from our home to Anfield and it snowballed from there. I love the

charity and everything about it and I do what I can for them. Thank you

so much, good luck today. As always, the organisers here gather some of

the world did invest in the elite field and it is no exception.

Everyone in the women's feel, triple Olympic champion and twice a winner,

Dibaba. Edna Kiplagat was third a year ago. European cross-country

champion in 2014, excellent second place last year, the best of

British, Gemma Steel. In the men's field, three-time Olympic

gold-medallist and champion two years ago, Kenenisa Bekele. One of

the world marathon greats was runner-up that they, he is back to

renew rivalries, Kenya's Ludik medallist, Wilson Kipsang. --

Olympic medallist. To an elite sportsmen, WBA lightweight champion,

Anthony Crolla, ran last year and back this time of a whole bunch of

guys, you have been mentoring them and calling them Anthony Crolla's

army. A great achievement, winning the

world title, when you set out to do something from an early age and you

have done it after many years. To come back and to achieve that is

definitely my greatest achievement. I think the training at times can be

very tough. Once you take those boxes in training, in the fight, you

know you can overcome a lot of things and likewise in fights, you

know how tough it can get, so you know how hard you have to push

yourself and training. Running is important, different types of

running. But whether it be long distance or bits on the track, it

simulates in a fight when you are working hard or building stamina.

For them to ask in the army that has been put together, it means an awful

lot. Just listening to some of their stories, they are an inspiration to

me. I love the city and not many prouder man Clooney and is then me.

The way the people get behind their own, you will see that on the day of

the race. The city comes out each year to support the race. Talk about

these guys and what you have been doing. We have got 12 runners, each

representing a boxing round or a boxing fight. And everyone of them,

they are raising money for a great cause and we are all at different

levels but great getting to know these people and I'm very proud to

be doing it with them today. Did you pick great looking crew? It was very

tough because we had a lot of entries but I think I have the

perfect 12 year. It is not just young athletes, it is people of all

ages and all levels and each one of them doing it for different causes

and it is something I am very proud to be apart of. You have enjoyed a

row, has he been a good motivator? Yes. They had to say that. Have you

enjoyed it? To be asked to do it at the Great Manchester Run, this is

the best day of the year for Manchester, the way the city comes

out and support this run and a lot of great causes, I have really

enjoyed it. This time last year, we were talking about your rehab on the

horrible incident you had when you try to catch those burglars and you

got a head injury, what a year it has been since then, WBA lightweight

champion. Here is a reminder of your last factory, you retain your title

against Barroso. COMMENTATOR: What a shot that is from Anthony Crolla,

the crowd loved what they are seeing. He has sent his men to the

floor and account has started! He looks to his corner and he has

successfully defended his WBA lightweight title from the man...

Sensational stuff from the man from Manchester. It couldn't have gone

any better. Last time out winning the title was special, being an

underdog again and the challenger, even sweeter

underdog again and the challenger, enjoying life but I have

underdog again and the challenger, working hard and keep improving.

Next fight? I will look working hard and keep improving.

sure yet, I should know in the next sure yet, I should know in the next

few weeks but hopefully one of the other champions and many more great

night in Manchester. Maybe Les Vega 's one-day! Good luck, I will speak

to you later. Good afternoon to the commentary team.

to you later. Good afternoon to the Paula Radcliffe and Steve Cram. Good

morning Jonathan and everybody else. Beautiful day in Manchester, looking

forward to some great racing. Chatting with Paula about Tirunesh

Dibaba. Took over a year out of racing. I'm sure she will get

cheered around the streets, the last time she actually raised was here in

Manchester back in 2014. Lovely conditions, we hope for a good race

and I guess the question is how fit is Tirunesh Dibaba. Good morning to

Paula Radcliffe. Like everybody, you must be delighted to see her bag?

It's great to see her back and I'm anticipating seeing the form she is

in. She admitted she gained quite a bit of weight and wasn't really

running through the final stages of pregnancy, took some time to get

back into it. This is her first real test and then she will decide if our

main aim is to qualify for Rio, she's got to find the 10,000 metres

on the track but this will answer some questions. This will get the

competitive juices flowing again. some questions. This will get the

They can ease her back into competition. It's not an easy field

but it's not like having to run the qualifying time first time out. As

they leave the city centre, where the tens of thousands are waiting

for their opportunity to get going, they pretty much runway behind where

we are in Deansgate and then head out towards the Salford area in this

part of the route. Pretty fast, a flat course. Old Trafford always

looming in the distance. FA Cup winners last night, it will be a

happy place and maybe you saw heads around here today. A little loop

around, not far away from the BBC HQ as well, Salford quays, and then

back along the same route. At this point a couple of kilometres to go,

this is where the race normally breaks up and then up to Dean 's

gate, where we are sitting and patiently waiting for them to

finish. -- Deansgate. Well, you can see that Tirunesh Dibaba is just

trying to force the issue a little bit here. Edna Kiplagat looking

reasonably comfortable and the others hanging on. That little group

further back includes Gemma Steel but Dibaba is breaking things up and

as Paula said, perfect pace if you like, 3.11, 3.11. Identical times

for the first two kilometres but now she means business. She does and

already starting to forge ahead. She will be enjoying getting back out

here. Just being able to appreciate being back racing will give her

energy as well. Starting to test the others and ask some questions of

them in terms of how fast they are able to go right now. Old Trafford,

which is quiet today, it wasn't quiet down at Wembley yesterday.

Great day for the club, commiserations to all the Palace

fans. The streets around Old Trafford quiet today. Gemma Steel

just struggling a bit there, and the Polish athlete 110, and the Italian

wearing 108. It's been a difficult period for Gemma Steel. She knew how

well some of the other girls were going. They get the leaders, Dibaba

is really using, I wouldn't say it is twisting and turning here but a

slight downhill section away from the football ground, able to keep

stretching out and a little bit behind as they cross the bridge

here. The third kilometre they went through in 3.06, which is what did

the damage. She has just eased back a bit into her original rhythm and

the other two able to hang onto that. Of the three of them, Tirunesh

Dibaba really looking in control of this and the one who looks the most

comfortable right now. Well, it was the FA Cup final yesterday, a big

comfortable right now. Well, it was day for football and a big year for

football with the European Championships coming up, all hoping

that England will do well and the man who is tasked to make sure that

happens is going to be our start today, ease with Phil Jones.

Thanks a lot, Steve. Obviously you're talking about the man beside

me, Roy Hodgson, the England manager. All about France coming up

but today it is all about the big game later on in Manchester but what

about this first of all? First of all I'm very happy and honoured to

be asked. Since the start of the race it's great to see so many

people taking part and I can only hope they will have good weather for

the remainder because I'm sure that will help them. You always get a

warm welcome here and I'm sure you will get that later on with the

England team as the build-up starts in earnest for the Euros. We've had

a good few days training at St George's Park that we're looking

forward to the game this afternoon, an important one and the first in

our three preparation games here. I'm sure that the players and the

staff are all very excited about playing at the City of Manchester

Stadium. How do you get the sense of the excitement that is building up?

The nation goes football crazy when these big championships come around

and I'm sure you're being approached all the time about that? Yes I am,

but I enjoy that and I think that's very healthy. I'm delighted that the

country is excited and I also feel we have a lot of support throughout

the country, I think people like the team and liked what the team is

trying to do, so we go there with high hopes but we also know that we

carried hopes of a nation on our shoulders. Good luck for the Euros

and enjoy the occasion today. I shall, thank you very much.

Yes, good luck to Roy and the England team. And all the other home

nation teams taking part as well. Now, Tirunesh Dibaba has really put

other down here, Diane Nukuri is now struggling and a ten metre gap

between herself and Edna Kiplagat, who herself is just hanging on to

the Ethiopian, who I wouldn't necessarily say is looking like her

old self but this will be a real confidence booster for Tirunesh

Dibaba, if she can keep forging on here and keep the pace going. When

you come back in the first six or seven K, it's when you get into that

bit of the race, three K to go, that you realise how fit you are. You can

tell you only have one or two to Lahmert is to go. She doesn't look

like she's putting has under any undue pressure or any questions she

can't answer commission looks very smooth and controlled, a bit of a

look over her shoulder there. It is Diane Nukuri who has not been able

to go with the front two. We're going to look back a little bit

earlier, starting with the wheelchair race, and Andrew Cotter.

COMMENTATOR: Jonathan Edwards was there to get them under way and the

man out in front at the very start really did dominate things, Simon

Lawson. He had a good race with David Weir last year but Weir not

racing this year, so Lawson was out on his own for just about the whole

race. What a pace he said. In the women's race it was a lot closer,

with the offending champion Shelly Woods and Jade Jones. Full Simon

Lawson, he was out on his own, it was a quick time and just outside

the course record set by David Weir, but he won it for fourth time. A

Now we can look forward to the start fourth title as well for

Now we can look forward to the start of the men's elite race and the

massed ranks of the thousands are going to follow them on this now

Good luck, this is Europe's biggest smiles as ever.

Good luck, this is Europe's biggest 10k. The Great Manchester Run about

to get under way and there we go! The klaxon sounded by the England

manager. Many people will cross this start line over the next couple of

hours, we can't fit them all on the same route because it is only 10k

will start its great to see how this race has grown over the years. Today

we expect to see the 300,000th finisher to cross the line in about

12.20 five, something like that. Let's go through some of the other

names, the elite start list, Robertson, an eight Bierce. Richard

Goodman, good to see him having a run out here. -- Arne Gabius.

Goodman, good to see him having a keeps looking

Goodman, good to see him having a sees is about a five metre gap. She

just needs to concentrate on running towards the finish. Not too far to

go and the crowds starting to build here. She is moving well since she

has picked up her cadence a bit. She's just checking almost every few

strides as to what is happening. All she needs to know is that the gap is

growing and the race is in the bag now, so she can concentrate on

finishing strongly in the last 300 metres or so. They've come around

the final bend and it's a bit of an uphill finish here at the Great

Manchester Run. It's great to see Tirunesh Dibaba coming back after so

long away. The last race was here two years ago and this could be the

long away. The last race was here comeback onto the track and then

perhaps a return to the sort of form that all her win in London, win in

Beijing, taking the Olympic gold that all her win in London, win in

medals and it would be fantastic see her back in Rio. Tirunesh Dibaba

now into the last 200 metres or so and the crowd getting ready to

receive her. and the crowd getting ready to

pretty good today and it will give her a bit of an indication. Not

until she gets onto the track and really has a go will she find out

what sort of shape she is in. But this has been a great return from a

good comeback for the three times Olympic champion, Tirunesh Dibaba

comes back to win the Great Manchester Run for the third time.

We will get the time confirmed officially and if so that is a

pretty good return for Dibaba. Kiplagat did pretty well to hang on

for so long but as ever she was never going to really be able to

content with Dibaba's speed in the final stages. And Nukuri, another

good solid performance from her. Expect to see her running for

Burundi at the Olympic Games. She will take third spot. And under 32

minutes, so a good performance from her, Nukuri, but a fair way behind.

Gemma Steel, watching the clock as she comes up the home straight. She

will be the first of the British athletes to cross the line. It's

going to be under 33 minutes, that's an improvement from what we've seen

so far this year from Gemma Steel. 32.40 three. Well, the men have gone

through the first kilometre in about 2.40 five. A steady enough pace for

them. Kenenisa Bekele elite and Wilson Kipsang, I'm sure they've

still got a bit of the London Marathon in their legs, it wasn't

that long ago, and Gabius is there, as we expected. Kipsang Is the one

who is just forcing the issue a little bit. Kenenisa Bekele by

contrast, we weren't expecting too much and

contrast, we weren't expecting too Kenenisa Bekele really ran

brilliantly in the marathon. Now the questions are, because of that

lesser build-up, is it going to have taken more out of his body and mean

that he is not able to bounce back as quickly. Looking at the two of

them coming he himself and Kipsang, I'm sure he will have recovered and

come back a bit stronger than Kipsang will happen able to. I've

found Batman and Robin! Isn't this fantastic. Your names are not Batman

and Robin? Being Batman, I can't hear a thing! This is Mike! You're

from Salford. Can you tell me a bit about why you're here today? We're

raising money for Cancer Research. We've been doing some of the smaller

runs around Manchester as Batman and Robin and this is the big event

today. Now, Robin, do you take your instruction from Batman? Will he be

pacing you today? Robin is not allowed to beat Batman! Yeah, I not

allowed to beat him! Not at all? It is Batman and Robin, not Robin and

Batman, there is a pecking order! All right, I'm hoping you put in a

good sprint finish so you can beat Batman. Well, he can't breathe

through his nose so it shouldn't be too bad! Approaching halfway in the

men's race, they've just got through halfway in 14.17. It did pick up in

that fifth kilometre, because they had been going at a fairly slow

pace. At the moment heading for something like 28 and a half

minutes, which in itself isn't that fast but it has just broken the

field up a bit and Kipsang has taken on the challenge.

And mirror image of the women's race when they have started to run

quicker. That has caused questions to be asked of McNeill who is now

dropping back and the three runners recovering from the London Marathon,

able to stay with him but he is now dropping a little bit around that

corner and Kipsang is keeping the pace moving along. That was 2.48

kilometre for the fifth kilometre. I should remind you, great story

about the Robinson twins, when they went out to Kenya, I remember seeing

the on a couple of occasions and I thought we are going to go and live

and train like the canyons and see what happens and it really turned

their hold careers around, they have turned into very good athletes but

they talk a lot about that change of attitude in terms of living,

breathing, running and understanding the likes of Wilson Kipsang, and

when you are surrounded in that culture and that ethos it is amazing

how much difference can be made. They have struggled to get their own

federation to realise their abilities and help them so they went

and help themselves. They have had a great three years, four years,

really. Struggling to hang on to this, the seventh kilometre was 2.4

four. Kipsang pushing on. I am with the Manchester United runners, an

array of runners here who put together a fantastic campaign to get

loads of the people from the union. He is one of our professors, another

colleague, Mike, decided to do something to Lincoln with really

event that takes place to catch the imagination and get the University

together we set the target of a thousand people between staff and

students and we weren't sure we were going to get it but we have got

1100. Absolutely amazing. Almost on cue, Bekele thinking enough is

enough and away I go. Into the last kilometre. Looks behind every few

strides and all of a sudden the gap is there. That was much easier than

Dibaba who had to work to shake off Kiplagat in the closing stages,

still checking over her shoulder, Kenenisa Bekele, as soon as he put

his foot down, he easily moved away on a still checking behind him but

he can relax and enjoy this run because I don't think Wilson Kipsang

is going to be able to get anywhere close to challenging him. Bekele

building his lead, Kipsang in second place, Richard Goodman is running

very well for the British athletes, incest. There is Richard Goodman,

Shaftesbury Harrier. Running very strongly indeed. Hoping for a good

performance but at the front, Bekele with every single stride, stretching

his lead away from Wilson Kipsang, who is looking ragged and tired. And

like Dibaba, when he is at his best, there is no better side than

Kenenisa Bekele, another look behind, looking strong, moving well.

Obviously managed to shake off the London Marathon, great performance,

it is out of his legs and has enjoyed his performance in

Manchester and great to see him back. Kenenisa Bekele will of course

hope that all he can do is show that he is in shape and show that he is

ready and if somebody who is as great as he is at his capabilities

on the track he great as he is at his capabilities

selectors at some point put trust in him and you were saying at the

beginning, Paula was mentioning how Ethiopian go away on camp, they look

at how people are performing and surprise with selections and they

can change their mind. All this will do is just serve a reminder that

Kenenisa Bekele is on the road, over 10,000 metres, he can take on the

best and almost putting his arms out to see, what do you think? Back to

winning ways, the great champion that is the niece of Italy comes to

take the title, the Great Manchester Run is his again, great to see him

back, Kenenisa Bekele with a really solid run, solid performance. Too

good for everybody today, including Wilson Kipsang.

McNeill has asked Robertson, he looks behind, Robertson struggling

in the latter stages, as expected, the Australian coming through, good

performance from him, might be his best ever on the roads. McNeill gets

third spot, Robertson coming in behind for fourth spot, looking a

bit tired and ragged, in the middle behind for fourth spot, looking a

of the race he forced things a little bit and we may be suggested

his races coming into this didn't look great and evidence of that. He

was under 29 minutes, I know he was hoping for something a lot quicker

than that. This will be full of people in the

not too distant future and about other milestone or the Great

Manchester Run, 300,000 finishers will cross the line. They will not

just be a 10,000 metre run but half marathon as well next year and this

is what the course is going to be like.

not just a 10,000 metres next year but the half marathon as well. Get

online if you fancy being part of the Great Manchester Run.

Richard Goodman the first of the British athletes just under 30

minutes. COO great to see Dibaba back in the very encouraging

performance. Fu Asil further down, Gemma Steel, best of the British

athletes. Fourth victory for Simon Lawson.

Shelly Woods coming through to defend her title, fourth title for

her. Nikki Emerson in third. Kenenisa Bekele, great run today,

you looked very happy when you crossed the line. Yes, because three

weeks after the London Marathon I wanted to come here, so happy to

come back after two years, very happy to be here with a big crowd

here. They are great people. I am happy to be here. In terms of

selection for Rio, you must be disappointed, was this a message to

the selectors? I have already showed them before. I

don't know why, of course I am not happy about it. They have to select

maybe a third person. Fingers crossed we will see you in Rio. You

are going to beat through the interpreter. How happy were you with

your comeback race? I am so happy that I have this race

and I try to test myself with the Manchester run and it has proved to

be very good for me. Will we see you in Rio? I am going to try the 10000

and hopefully I will make the team. You are both brilliant, thanks very

much. We hope to see you both in Rio.

Local hero and WBA lightweight champion Anthony Crolla is here once

again running and he is not alone, he has recruited a group of people

we are calling Anthony Crolla's army. This is a picture of my

husband, I am running the Great Manchester Run in his memory. He was

a world champion boxer, passionate about sport and exercise and it

seemed a fitting way to do something positive in his memory. The two

pictures, a big contrast, the one that I am holding is my last day of

chemotherapy and the one that Aaron is holding is taken very recently

and that is as together as a family. --

I work for royal Manchester children's charity

underrepresentation of the helipad that is built on the hospital site,

we don't have access to one of these and we are one of the busiest and

biggest children's hospitals in the UK. It is crazy we don't have access

to this facility. This picture is of my younger sister who was diagnosed

with autism two years ago, I'm running for autism research. This

picture is my two daughters, the inspired me to do well as part of

the run I want them to be proud and be part of Anthony Crolla's army.

This is a picture of me and my daughter and my granddaughter

watching a race my son was running in. I was only 19 stone and that

picture, I remember putting a pound in the charity box and spending ?10

in the burger van. And to see these people that were running for the

family and friends, it just made me feel so selfish. This is my cousin

who was born with PKU, a condition that he has to have low protein diet

or it can cause brain damage and difficulties. This picture is very

important to me because it was presented to meet after boxing

tournament after a show work I boxed on when Anthony Kim as guest of

honour, prior to be running with him on Sunday. Really looking forward to

it. The Christie was everything to me. If somebody says your life, you

want to repay it in the best way you can. It will feel like I have really

crossed a barrier on the grief journey, it will be the start of a

new life, my husband is still beside me.

There they go journeys, you can see the numbers,

everybody has a number on the back where they can write their own

story, who they are raising funds for, so many thousands of stories

out there and indeed, our own team here, Rob Llewellyn one of our

regular motorbike pilots who provided excellent coverage on the

road, he died suddenly while working in America. He loved his job and be

loved working with him and beat dearly miss him and our thoughts are

very much with his family and friends.

At the finish line, lots of tired and weary bodies but pretty happy

ones as well, hopefully a few personal bests being said today,

some wind picking up. Huge crowd at Dean 's gate waiting for the

finishers, looking for their loved ones. In various states of

disrepair. Some have got a little bit left for a kick finish and there

is a site that will they will need at the start of beans gate after ten

kilometres. The effort is large on all the faces of those who come

across and they will feel terrible and then they will feel the elation

and be back to try on the race and back here next year as well because

that is what running is all about, it really does give you a great

high, which they are all experiencing now.

Brooke was born with a birth defect, so we were rushed to Manchester to

see a consultant. He operated on her when she was 11 days old and

performed life-saving surgery. She has been an hospital all her life. I

am used to it, it is the norm for me, so I take it as I come. She had

surgery about two years ago. When I do sport,. The surgery didn't work,

it went a bit wrong, I broke screws. Some of the pins that were holding

everything together broke. It's been almost two years.

Considering how old she is, it's her 15th birthday today, it was very

difficult for her. I used to do triathlons beforehand. So going from

doing stuff like that and nothing has been quite hard. When she had

had the first knocked back on the surgery, she decided to do a thing

on the Internet with her friends and it was called the forbidden mile.

She said to her friends, I can't run a mile, but if you can, just do a

mile and give a couple of quid to the Royal Manchester Children's

Hospital. It was a 10k first and then I got into doing the mini-runs.

This is her way of saying thank you to the Royal Manchester Children's

Hospital. He will be coming round with me, he has been my surgeon

since birth. Not only has the guy saved her life, he will now be

running with her as well on her first attempt at a 10k, search or be

fabulous. -- so it should be fabulous.

We've just seen your VT, Brooke. What a brave soul you are. How

excited are you to be here today? I'm very excited but I can't wait to

get it over and done with! Your preparation must have been a bit

different to other people? I'm not able to run, so I'm going to have to

walk, so I've been walking everywhere and just trying as hard

as I can. So you are mega fit? A little bit! You're here as well. On

medical grounds, how safe is it for Brooke to be here today? It's a

fantastic achievement, she is managing to do the walk, run,

whatever, however way we do it. Fantastic achievement, she is an

inspirational young woman. For yourself, being here, have you done

the preparation you need to as well? No, for an athlete like myself...

LAUGHTER It is quite a challenge! Brooke, you

brought your family with you as well today. They are all here to is

aboard you, who is running with you today, Jim, Katie, my mum and my

dad, they're running. Is she going to pace you? She's a bit speedy? I'm

not really sure! This must be a proud moment for you. She always

said when she was old enough she would run the Manchester 10k and

here she is, not running but she's doing it no matter what. Guys, I

wish you the best of luck. Hope to see you at the finish line. Look at

all these bright colours, fantastic. Thanks a lot.

Well, it's been a great weekend for sport in the north-west. Obviously

Man United won the FA Cup at Wembley but up here we have had the Great

CityGames and Greg Rutherford looking in great form in the long

jump. Yesterday was the next generation in the mini-run.

It's great, kids are getting moving, aren't they? They're not sad that

I'm in front of the PlayStations, the laptops... They are out there

having a great time in the rain in Manchester. It's great to get so

many kids out there getting active. My favourite bit was when I got the

medal! I'm so glad because it's my first-ever medal. It was the best

day of my life! I had so much fun! She'd had a great

time, she's been really good. She's only three, it's her first one.

He's just finished the race and we're really, really proud of him.

You beat daddy! I did, I did! It was great fun, you wanted to run the

whole way, didn't you? You didn't stop, did you? We're doing the 10k

tomorrow as well. I'm running in the Great Manchester Run and I'm really

excited. I'm running for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, to

hopefully raise enough money... I'm hoping to do it within 50 minutes

for them, but famous last words. We will see. I've had the best day

ever! CHEERING

I see you proudly wearing your blue Peter badge. -- your Blue Peter

badge. We had so many, go an Blue Peter! Loads of kids out here

cheering for Blue Peter and wanting that sport badge also I suppose it's

really aborted to get the message out and get the kids active.

Definitely the important thing is not about how fast you go, getting

to the start line is the hardest thing to do sometimes because it's

scary and intimidating, but it's not about anything other than that, get

to the start line and do your best. You're an inspiration, well done. So

tired! My name is Amanda Scott and this is

my run. I started my running journey in 2009 after my diagnosis of

Crohn's disease which resulted in surgery. I ended up in coronary care

and six months after coming out of coronary care I decided I was going

to run the London Marathon. Running benefits might Crohn's disease -- my

Crohn's disease because it eight the flow through the digestive system.

It also helps with my fatigue and reduces my pain. I've also managed

to reduce my dependence on morphine and tramadol, and reduced my chronic

fatigue. Mentally I find it helps me to maintain a positive outlook on

life, helping with the psychological side of this disease because it can

be quite liberating. I always feel that anything is possible when I go

out for a run, and when I do the races it's the little achievements

that count for me. When I'm running, I tend to think of my mum, Leone

Scott. She was my best friend and my biggest inspiration in life. She

worked while I was having chemotherapy. She did everything,

she held my hand and fought with me and was there in every single

surgery I've ever had. Not having my mum here has been the hardest point

in my life because you can never hear her say I love you again. When

things do get tough, I tend to look up and think of my mum. I run to

make my mum proud. A little bit of an uphill finish to

the end, but most of them coping with it very well indeed. So many of

the university crowd we've just seen their coming across the finish line.

But there are still many yet their coming across the finish line.

out there. That is Olly's Army, running for a great cause.

One of the milder costumes we've seen today. We've seen three

batsmans, Batmen! Three Batmans and seen today. We've seen three

only two Robins, which is odd! Perhaps a little bit of rain in the

act, but great conditions for running. There's no letup in the

popularity of events such as this here in the UK and around the world,

everyone wanting to get out on the streets. Fantastic to see.

everyone wanting to get out on the popularity of the Great Manchester

Run continues to grow and will grow again next year I'm sure.

This is the 14th Great Manchester Run. It started back in 2003 and

this time we have reached a milestone, the 300,000th finisher

has crossed the line and he is with Phil Jones. You are the 300,000th

finisher in the history of the Great Manchester Run. Excellent,

excellent! How did they find you, how did they tell you? I was going

to get some water and they called me up and said that number... It's my

first Manchester run. My first 10k run has well, so I'm very excited

about finishing. And you have a place in history! I'm very excited,

very pleased as well. I'm lucky, I was pushing it and I slowed down, I

don't know why I slowed down, but yeah, very happy. Congratulations,

will you come back for more next year? Definitely I will do. You have

to be 15 to running the Great Manchester Run, so not quite time

for him yet, but a high-5 from Spiderman. The finish is coming

through. Hard work for some, good effort.

As somebody mentioned earlier on, it doesn't matter what your level of

ability, what the reason may be that you want to stand on the start line

and take up the challenge, no excuses, 10k, anyone can do it, even

dressed like that. Well done. That is the same outfit you wore when you

broke the mile record! We have had the 300,000th finisher in Great

Manchester Runs today. Different looks on the faces... Camaraderie as

well, running with people alongside you, you can make friends and share

that moment when you come through. Part of the England rugby team

coming through as well. Is it, really? No, two members of the

Scottish rugby team coming through! Well, they look like they've had fun

and that is the main thing. This all started out when people said they

wanted fun runs, and that ethos has been continued. Well done, guys. A

world champion boxer, Anthony Crolla, big supporter of the Great

Manchester Run. You've taken part today with an army behind you! What

was it like? It gets better and better every year. I was running

with other people and the last one has just crossed the line, I made

up. What is the word from the people who did it with you this year? They

really enjoyed it. I crossed the line with a view of them and it's a

fantastic experience. It just grows and grows every year. The support in

the city comes out every year. The message for the people of Manchester

is get out and have a go? Definitely, I did it once a few

years back and every year since I've made sure I do it. It is a great

occasion. Great to see you. I'm sure they loved seeing you to date. We're

proud of you in this region and to come and give something back is

tremendous. I feel lucky to be here. It just makes it better, sharing it

with all these people. Thanks very much.

Tonight, 8pm on BBC Two, that should be a great watch. And then league

highlights on BBC One, 11th DBM this evening and five minutes later in

Scotland. You can download the FA Cup catch up on the BBC iPlayer.

That's it for another Great Manchester Run. Another great

celebration of sport here. We've been privileged to watch Tirunesh

Dibaba and Canon Bekele losing none of their fluency the road. --

Kenenisa Bekele. Next year it will be back and better than ever with

another half marathon. No excuses, see you then! It challenges you

mentally but you feel like you're able to do anything. If I can do it,

anyone can.