Great North Run Athletics

The Great North Run is really special, the amount of people

taking part and running for charities and loved ones. It is

special to us because it helps us to remember our friend. It is so

special for me because it inspired me to run 3,000 miles across the

United States. It is a great atmosphere and gives you the chance

to run around Newcastle with 54,000 runners. But Great North Run is

special for the crowd. The Great North Run is special because you

get to run over the fabulous Tyne Bridge. That Great North Run is a

special event because it is a historic and absolutely beautiful

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

Good morning and welcome to the 31st Great North Run. As you have

heard from some of those who have taken part, this is a wonderful mix,

as a sporting event and incredibly emotional journey together, and

whether at the front or the back, the Bupa Great North Run provides

an immense personal challenge, which you can share with 54,000

other runners. It is the world's largest half-marathon and always

delivers competitive racing and compelling stories. We begin our

four hours of coverage with a look at who might finished first. The

field includes world class athletes. And under one hour time is

definitely on the cards today with the London Marathon winner,

Emmanuel Mutai of Kenya, heading the men's race. There is a home

nation hope in the women's race. Jo Pavey returns from injury,

determined to improve on her impressive debut here three years

ago. MORI Yamaichi is also back. She is looking to post a fast time

and a message today -- Mara. And Helen Clitheroe completes a strong

trio of Brits, all looking to impress with 2012 just around the

corner off. But today is as much about the masses who make this

event so special. We will be with them all away on their 13.1 mile

journey from Newcastle to South Last year's wheelchair winner,

Shelly Woods, will be hoping to retain her title. The elite women

go at 10:15am, including behind the Andy Reid, the champion, and

Jessica Augusto, a previous winner. -- behind the Adair Reef. Also look

out for Joauad Gharib. A lot to look forward to it and at the start,

so much has changed over the years because in 1981, there were 12,500

people who are applied and over 10,000 people completed the race

but now it is so popular, 54,000 Will they finish? Will they enjoy

it? Why are they were running? We will find that in the next few

hours as our reporters are around the course, ready to bring you

stories of courage and commitment. And with me is Olympic champion,

world record holder and local lad, Jonathan Edwards. An amazing

atmosphere down at the start of the Great North Run. Tens of thousands

of people stretched behind me in a sea of humanity come up with an air

of anticipation, excitement and fear. I will be speaking to a few

of them to give you an idea of why they are running from Newcastle to

South Shields. More from Jonathan later. The race starts here and the

runners will head towards the city centre and over the famous Tyne

Bridge. That is downhill. But after that, they start to climb and climb

and waiting for them further down the field, Olympic champion at

Denise Lewis. I am at one of the most crucial points of the race,

At this point, their legs will start to feel heavy but they will

take a lot of comfort from reaching this point. The conditions are

great so join me later when I will be finding out some of the heart-

warming stories that make this day so special. Thanks, Denise. They

will be cheered every inch of the way as the locals come out to lend

their support, handing out sweets and drinks, and there will be

plenty of music, with many local bands playing. But the most welcome

side will be busy at South Shields, because that signals that the

finish line he is not far away but there is along, long promenade to

accomplished before that. First of all, our chief athletics reporter,

Phil Jones. They are not necessarily big names and

celebrities but everyone is a winner when they crossed the

winners line at South Shields. When they filter to the finish, where I

am standing, they will be hit with a mixture of euphoria, relief and

exhaustion but third set in the distance, they will be met by

friends and family -- but further down in the distance. I am at the

charity village, where they are just preparing for the arrival of

the masses. This is where friends and families finally catch up with

the runners who have got so much money for their chosen charities. I

will be hearing some of their stories later, while they are

getting their post-race pampering. I bet they are looking forward to

that pampering as well because there is a long way to go. If you

know someone who is running at want to send them a message, why not

send us a text. We will be running some of those on our screened later

in the programme. Remember, there is no text speaks. You can also get

us on Twitter. Will be reading out some tweetss later. So get in touch.

The wait goes on for all of the runners taking part. Many have run

before and know what lies ahead but for others, this is a new

experience. The serious runners will be after a fast time but there

are those who would just be thankful to get to the finish line

but that is over 30 miles away. The roads are closed and the course is

ready, the Tyne Bridge is quiet but that is all about to change as this

much-loved sporting event gets under way.

Over the years, the race has provided many iconic images,

including the Red Arrows traditional fly-past over this

famous landmark, to salute the thousands of runners and send them

on their way. It is an inspirational start to their

journey. The Red Arrows return later to perform one of their

stamina displays over South Shields. It provides a lasting memory for

all of those taking part. The Red Arrows have become synonymous with

the event but Bessie, the display team's show was thrown into doubt

after the tragic death of Jon Egging, killed in Bournemouth last

month, the first fatal accidents since 1978. There had been tributes

for his bravery as he is seemingly steered his plane away from

residential areas. The team have chosen to take to the skies again

in memory of Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging. And his wife will be

running in his memory. I know you have set up a trust. He was really

passionate about using his skills as part of the Red Arrows but also

as a qualified flying instructor to inspire a young people to be the

best they can be and develop them natural talent so I will be taking

that forward in his name and developing key initiatives to work

with people to get them to reach their potential. Tell us about John.

He was so proud to be a member of the Red Arrows. John was an amazing

person. He loved his job and he loved flying. He loved being there

for everyone. While today is really difficult, I am honoured to be at

the Great North Run in his memory. I know you have had tremendous

support from the Red Arrows but also from the public as well, and

the books of condolences. I have been astounded by the support. It

has carried me through the last few weeks. The team, the military and

the public have been brilliant. have you kept going? We were big

runners. We love running. It is really hard to do this without him

but running will get me through and the atmosphere today is fantastic

and it is great to be here. You say you are really looking forward to

seeing the Red Arrows. I know that they fly at the Great North Run

every year but I have never seen it. Today will be emotional but it will

be fantastic. Are you looking for a good time? I don't know about that!

I haven't done a half marathon for a little while but I am up for a

challenge. I am with friends, we are 18. The ground commander.

are a team. You knew him so well. Yes. We were a very close-knit team.

It was clear he was given to be a great pilot. When he finally

reached the Red Arrows, he was a perfect ambassador for the Royal

Air Force and for Great Britain as well. They are doing the air shows

today and also the fly past but a special send-off as well at the

start. Tell us about the formation. At the start of the race, you will

see a standard Red Arrows formation, with red white and blue to signify

what a great British tradition Mrs, and then we will see a missing man

formation, one of flying in his old position, and then you will see

smoke and that is our tribute to him where we will honour him.

you will be starting the race. What an opportunity. But it is

going to be very emotional because of the fly past. Yes. I am so

looking forward to seeing their team up in the sky. It is going to

be good. We wish you the best of luck today. I look forward to

seeing you at the end. And you have the number four in honour of John.

Yes. I can't believe I am wearing red four. It is brilliant to be

running with his number on. Let's just hope I get round. I am sure he

would be very proud of you. Thank I will get cultural now because

alongside me is the official permit for the Great North Run. Did

Brendan asked you himself was mad maybe but he does not like the way

people take the mickey out of him for the way he says the word "poem".

What is your official duty? write a poem during the run and

have it finished by the end to go over the highlights show. I take it

you have never done anything like this before. No. It is either one

or the other, not both at the same time. Mostly, sitting. How is it

going? I have a possible couple of first clients based on things I

have observed already. I think you could have the responsibility of

choosing the first line. Quickly. man carrying a Brit humpback like

the Tyne Bridge. Or, men in speedos, we against the trees. You are

looking repulsed. I am not too sure about that. We will go with bridge

and fridge. The only thing I am worried about come up when you

start running, it will take away from your creative juices. I think

it might be the most mad poet I have ever done. After the blood

sugar, who knows what could happen. We are waiting with bated breath to

see what you come up with but all the very best of luck. I will need

it Jonathan, thank you. certainly look forward to that.

Running the half-marathon is tough enough but she will be writing a

poem as well. So everyone streaming down to the start. 54,000 people

making their way here. The Ray Stubbs in just under an hour's time.

-- the race will start. I am joined by model and TV personality, Calum

Best. You are a serious runner. Come on! I play a bit of football

but I signed up for the London Marathon this year and we did that

and I did it for the Children's Trust but a friend of mine, Sophie,

got in touch with me, former Miss Great Britain, she said she was and

running it this year -- and she said she was running it this year

for a smaller charities. So where is she? She is not here! You fell

for it? Everybody is here for a different charity! Sarah's Hope

Foundation is an opportunity for children with cancer to go on

holiday so hopefully I can make it past the finish line. Tell us about

the foundation. Sending children with cancer to Crete. Holiday and

treatment. Yes, it is known in the world as being one of the

healthiest environments, sunshine, organic foods. There is an English

contingent that live there as well so any families that go there can

help their kids to have cancer grow up in a healthy environment and

give them a break from living with a horrible affliction. So the

hasn't turned up but also the current Miss Newcastle, isn't she a

run-in with you? Miss Great Britain, Ms Newcastle, I don't know how I

was coaxed into this! I love the people from Newcastle but I have

been stitched up with this Jersey! I don't know what the hell is going

on but it is all good. I am here for these guys. Brendan Foster is

the chairman of the race organisers. He probably sorted it. I will get

booed by the Sunderland fans! luck. Thank you for having me.

Last year, corporal Andrew Goss quite lost his left arm in a

grenade attack. He became the first British soldier to be fitted with a

bionic arm, and earlier this year, he proposed a to his girlfriend. He

is taking part today. Joe Redman was diagnosed with an extremely

rare blood disorder. He has had more than 20 blood transfusions,

but hopes to be cured when his big sister Holly donate bone marrow

next year. His dad Peter is running to raise money for his fund today.

It took the tinier just two years to lose 9.5 stone. She is now

continuing her new-found passion of The cultural theme continues here.

We have a Turner Prize winner here. Your art involved with a great

North cultural project. We are doing a point-of-view shot, of the

entire course. All coverage of athletics events, the BBC did it

superbly, but it is a cinematic language, I thought it would be

interesting to see the entire course from the viewpoint of the

winner, in the winning time. So we are sitting off three minutes

before the men's elite, with a pick-up truck, and a camera on a

gyroscopic system, which will give a smooth with a run of the entire

thing in an hour. That will both document the event, and it will be

shown on a huge screen next year. Thinking of putting it out to

gymnasiums. So you can do the run on the treadmill rather than watch

daytime TV. You are not running this year, but maybe next year?

Well, there is some implicit pressure, I feel! I feel I have to

shape up to be part of this next year, it is an unbelievable event.

I have been here a couple of times before, it is great. We look

Well, there is always next year! Here are the scenes at the start,

all of these people ready to cheer on their friends and family, we are

taking part. Still some latecomers are making their way. 50 minutes

before the main race gets under way. There he is, the French master. As

if it is not tough enough! IM with someone who ran it last year, Joe

McElderry. Would you like to run with a fridge and your back? That

must be really hard. You could keep some drinks cabinet, though!

ran last year, you enjoyed it so much that you are back again. A I

did, it is such a fantastic atmosphere. I am raising money for

the teenage Cancer Trust, I just love it here, it is great fun.

last night, you were meeting some of the families. Yes, it was a

pastor party for the Cancer Trust, I went down to give a pep talk. But

it is nerve-racking, you don't know what to expect until you start

running. It is quite scary. have been busy, I know, promoting a

new album. Because you are an opera singer now? Yes, the new album has

pop ballads and opera on it. It is hard flicking between the two. It

is doing well, it has been out for three weeks. Last week he told us

your aunt was one of the volunteers. Is all the family out today?

they are all waiting for us at the finish line, with towels, drinks,

we are going to have a barbecue after. It is going to be nice. I

can't wait to get to the end! time did you do last year? A one

hour 39, so I'm going to try and do better it a bit. It is not raining

like last year. Up it wasn't nice last year, it might be a bit easier.

It really is an amazing race, in the 31 years it has been going,

still they are pouring down to the start. But these two are here

bright and early. Sophie Raworth and Helen Skelton. Sophie, we have

to talk about the London Marathon, tell us what happened. I didn't get

to see you at the end was the main thing! I was pushing it a bit too

hard, I tried to do it in less than four hours, which was a bit silly,

it was a bit hot. I blacked out, I have no memory whatsoever. I had

two-and-a-half hours with the ambulance, then got up and finished,

because they gave me lots of tea with sugar! It wasn't made it

packed up and left, the camera left! I had this obsession. When

you train for months, I had this obsession with getting to the

finish line, and you were going to be there. I got there, and my

husband and kids and mum and dad were there, thankfully. I promise I

will wait this time! You were blacked out for about 20 minutes.

saw my medical records, I was out for about 20 minutes, I had a

temperature of 106 and. I had no idea where I was. I know you wanted

to beat your husband's time, are you having a race against him?

can be neatly tells me he pulled a muscle playing squash. --

conveniently tells me it. He has got the excuses in early! Helen,

you had a fabulous time last year. You were singing and chatting away,

you pushed a lovely lady round in a wheelchair. I ran alongside her,

some friends I enlisted pushed it! This is a really good atmosphere,

we are doing it again, the same team, we cannot find Liam at the

minute, though! This is an excuse to talk all the way round. She says

you're a great singer. She's probably the only person! There was

a bit of dancing, not as quickly as he would have liked, but with a

smile on our faces. You love a challenge, don't you, it is not one

thing to run it, you want to do something different? For me, when

you find your limit, and you do an event like this, it becomes

addictive. Even though you had a horrible time in the marathon, I

bet you are going to do it next year! My mother doesn't want me to!

I might. When you cross the finish line, you think, next year I'm

going to train harder, do it again. You sign up, forget about it, and

before you know it, the event is here. You know how special it is

and what a great atmosphere. It is brilliant, the crowds are

incredible, it is a nice enough distance, you still know what

you're doing at the end, just about! I have a car to take me to

the finish, and a promise I will I have been joined by the creator

of CBBC's Horrible Histories. For you, it is the finish. I never

thought I would be so glad to see Newcastle, because I'm from

Sunderland, but I started off at six days ago, the far side of

Hadrian's Wall, about 15 miles a day. Beautiful countryside, but

tough terrain? Tough terrain in the middle, we had a hurricane for the

first two days, then it was downhill, and it is nice to be here

today. Tell us why you are doing it? I'm doing it for a charity

called Integrating Children. have done this 15 times before. A

slight change of scenery from Hadrian's Wall? A bit of a change

of scenery, but so many people. I love humanity. Great achievement,

16 years ago, Michelle Thompson lost a teenage sister to cancer.

Since then, she has overcome her own accounts of battles, and

tackled adventures from Peru de Kilimanjaro, raising �80,000 for

the Macmillan Cancer Trust. She had to achieve a target of �100,000

today. RAF squadron decided to stage their own and North Run in

Kandahar after witnessing the life- changing injury to and hardships of

falling ground forces in Afghanistan. They are raising funds

for hope for heroes. Katie was four when she was told

that she had cancer. She has enjoyed meeting celebrity cancer

survivors. Now aged 11, she has been clear for over five years. Her

family have raised over �70,000, and Katie, her mum and her brother

have been training again for this So many heartbreaking stories, and

they have been the inspiration for so many people who or running here

today. This is the scene at the start. You can see more and more

people getting down to the start, ready for the 31st running of this

BUPA Great North Run. Just four months ago, Emma Newton was

tragically killed when a tree fell on her car in high winds. Her

family immediately set up a fund and a member to help those with a

passion for the Performing Arts, a subject dear to end a's heart. --

She just had this smile on every photograph. She was there, straight

in front of you. She was very positive, she loved her life.

she died, it was a huge shock, and straight away, I thought to set up

a fund in her name, to give grants to young children in the performing

She used to love drama, and danced. She was good at it, you know. To me

cos she was a born performer. didn't think she was anything

special. She wasn't a show-off. She just did it, it came naturally to

her. She had Poland. -- talent. feel she was going to go places. If

there is anybody out there... We struggled at the start to get

things for her, costumes, tickets to classes. If this money can help

anybody in any way, it is going to be well worth it. What he went

through in the early days, -- what we went through, thinking that we

can still give people grants, to give people something that will

inspire them, to give them a good start in anything, you know...

would like that. The fund initially was to raise �25,000. We did that

within two months, we had money left at the doorstep, people have

been so generous. People we don't even know. They have been touched

by what has happened. We just want to continue it. We have got a lot

of support out there. It is business through dance. It is a

Brazilian star, I think. -- style. It was a lot of fun. It raised

about �10,000 on the day. From the dancing of last Sunday to

Emma was really well known for her red lipstick and geeky glasses and

she was a dancer, so that you tos, one such is up and one is down, we

are trying to bring a part of her into the way we are dressing for

the cause. We have been overwhelmed by the gamut of people who have

sponsored us. Team Emma is about keeping her name alive, how much

happiness she brought to us. They have trained very hard. I think

they are looking forward to doing it for Emma. When they finish, it

is going to be quite emotional I think. She would be just laughing,

she wouldn't believe it I think. That people had done so much. It is

funny, she would want to go home and tell everyone. She has got on

with life. She would want us to enjoy life. She had fun. Yeah.

would have been laughing now. would be glad with the front and we

have set up. She would be proud I I always like a young lady in a

ballet costume! Simon, you look fantastic. A serious reason you are

dressed like this. We are running for my niece, Emma, who was killed

in a tragic accident. We are dressed like this because she was a

fantastic dancer. The glasses are because it is what you wore all of

the time, she had big glasses, and the red lipstick, which I haven't

got on yet, it used to brighten her face up and make her look so

beautiful. That is why we are dressed like this. You are her

cousin. What is the fund you have set up for? It is basically for

young adults to fund them with performing arts, to help them with

the performing arts. And you are looking forward to it but it is

bittersweet. Yeah. It is a bit scary but we are really looking

forward to it. A good luck. I hope it goes well.

Good luck to them all. I hope they raise lots and lots of money today.

The start is looming ever closer. There is a lot of nervous people at

the start line, including these two. The format this Great Britain and

miss Newcastle, -- the format this of Great Britain and the current

Miss Newcastle. Calum Best thought you were not going to turn up.

is every dramatic. -- he is so dramatic. We got messed up with

trying to find the bus but we got it all OK now. Are you serious

runners? I read you were looking for running socks just before the

race. No, I do go running quite often. I am not an elite or

anything but I do try my hardest. Today is just about getting round

and everyone's spirits are also lifted. And the atmosphere and the

camaraderie. Calum Best was talking about the foundation you are

running for cover for helping children. Tell us more about that.

Sarah's Hope. It provides a villa in Cyprus, somewhere where families

who have children suffering from cancer can go and have respite with

the care that they meet in the vicinity. So they can go on holiday

without the stresses and strains, and relax and do normal family

activities. I wish you the best of luck. What time are you hoping for?

At hour! I don't have a time. I am hoping to just get around. Good

luck, everyone! Yes! I will see you at the finish. Good luck. Over the

years we have seen so many famous faces who have started this race

and busy, the honour goes to Mo Farah, who has been making athletic

headlines in recent weeks. He became the first British man to win

a world championship title over 5,000 metres. He would be starting

the race but we -- before we speak to the man, let's look back at his

year. He may have been Britain's hot property at the championships,

but it was a frosty start back in January. Mo Farah begins 2011 in

Mo Farah find something extra! A Mo Farah, defending his title, it

is going to be gold for Great Britain! Mo Pharrell Williams it! -

Mo Farah, tiring in the closing stages. Mo Farah is denied the

medal that he so dearly cherished. In towards the home straight, he

relinquished the lead in the 10,000 metres, he is he going to do It

again? He starts to drop away! It was only silver in at 10,000 metres

but it is gold this time! This time he got it right. This time you

found the strength to hold on. What Truly has been at the rise and rise

of Mo Farah this year and looking at those scenes, what a year.

has been amazing for me. I am really happy how it went. I am over

the moon. Take us back to Daegu. I know you were feeling lots of

pressure. People wondering if you could win gold in 10,000 metres and

it was so tight on the final stretch far stop it was close.

ran a decent time. I was capable of winning it. I did not have a clue

about the winner. Nobody did. We did not expect that. No. My tactic

was to go for 500 metres, and then keep going, and I was thinking

about the rest of the guys, but that was his day and the better man

one on the days. Those last 200 metres must have been devastating

for. I was hurting! 150 metres to go and I saw him come past on my

shoulder and in the last 50 metres, I saw him come past me and I had

nothing left! You said after the race, I want to do the 5,000. Did

you know you had enough in you? was so disappointed with the 10

kilometres -- the 10,000 metres, and I knew I would come back. It

was a matter of talking to my coach, taking care of my blisters. What a

sensational victory. It was a difficult race tactically. Yeah. I

had to be patient and I had to wait and wait. I knew what it would take

to win the race. I knew about everybody else. Bernard Lagat has

run 3.26. You are not running today, you are the official starter, but

you are heading back to Somalia to see your mum. Will you take a tape

of your victory? I have asked the BBC to get me a tape! I am looking

forward to it. I am relaxing on my break and I am enjoying time

offered my family and I am looking forward to seeing her, I haven't

seen her for a little while. I will talk to you later on. Now we are

ready for the first of the races. Paul Dickenson.

Thank you very much indeed. Wonderful conditions on Tyneside.

20 athletes altogether for the Great North Run wheelchair race, a

British record told us got world champions, Paralympic champions,

including some defending champions as well. Josh Cassidy, the Canadian,

twice the Renault of the Great North Run -- twice the winner.

Richard Coleman of Australia is an absolutely super competitive.

Shelly Woods in the green of Great Britain. Some other British

athletes to look out for, Mickey Bushell, former Paralympic silver

medallist. The course record. The men's race, David Weir, 41.34, and

the United States woman, Amanda, who won it in 2009, and Shelly

Woods of course won it last year. All of the main aims are there. All

the big names are there. Only one a mythic, David Weir. He has elected

not to come this year and to continue his preparations for the

Paralympic Games -- only one name Dry conditions, not very much wind

about. This first mile and a half down towards the Tyne Bridge is

very, very kind to them. The gentle slope takes them all the way down

and then the real hard work starts as they cross the Tyne Bridge. Go

up the hill, a big left 10, down towards the Gateshead Stadium. -- a

left turn. This first race is now The athletes are on their way and

in a few minutes, the women's elite race will start and it is a race

that sees the return of two British athletes coming back from injury,

Jo Pavey and Mara Yamauchi. Mara Yamauchi has a long distance CV of

distinction, excelling at the London Marathon and Beijing Olympic

marathon. Jo Pavey came close to Great North Run glory in 2008,

finishing third, two seconds from victory. Both hit the road today

after injury, are to the destination: London pointed wealth.

I am glad to be back out there. ultimate destination: London 2012.

My hope is to be selected for the Olympics next year because the

qualifying time does not guarantee selection. I just want to enjoy the

race, feel-good, finished in one piece, get a reasonable time. The

time I run will give me any publication of where I am with my

training and then I can adjusted accordingly. Paula Radcliffe and a

new ceiling are among the others in the contention. -- and Liz Yelling.

You cannot presume you will be selected just because you have the

time but it will keep us on our toes. For a competing athlete to

have the Olympics in your home country is such an opportunity that

is so rare so of course I want to be there and improve on my place in

Beijing. I wish we could all go! But obviously there is only three

places. Because I have had so many injuries, the thought of not making

the team does go through my mind so I am going to give it 110% to stay

injury-free and hopefully, run well in August of dog Britain's third

entrance of note is Helen Clitheroe, making her half-marathon debut

after winning in Manchester in May. The women's field it is further

illuminated by the inclusion of defending champion, Berhane Adere

of Ethiopia, and the athlete she succeeded as champion, Jessica

Augusto from Portugal. We are now ready to introduce the

main contenders on the start-line for the women's elite race. Back to

the commentator box with Brendan Foster and Steve Cram. Thank you.

Good morning. And good luck to everybody down there. Obviously

they can't hear me. Looking forward to welcoming everybody, not only

elite athletes but the tens of thousands of others. The elite

women get the honour of setting us under way. They have about 25

minutes head start on the main race. We have just seen some other main

contenders been named. It is quite an important date for the likes of

Barry Yamauchi and Jo Pavey. -- Mara Yamauchi. This is the

defending champion, she has won it two times, Berhane Adere, former

world champion. Jo Pavey, one of Britain's best. Looking for a

confidence boost as she begins her marathon campaign for London and

the Olympic Games. Mara Yamauchi has been troubled with injury for

the last 12 months and a good performance will set her up nicely

for an autumn marathon, which you really needs. Jo has at least

already qualified for 2012. Helen Clitheroe, she rang yesterday at

the Great City Games. -- she ran yesterday. She won the European

indoor 3,000 metres title at the beginning of the year. And it was

back in October that Irene Jerotich excelled in her best race ever,

where she became the Commonwealth champion over the marathon distance.

And the winner two years ago, Jessica Augusto, fresh from the

10,000 metres in the world championships, and she could be the

Conditions, almost ideal, the distance running. It is quite cool,

around 13 degrees at the start, hardly a breeze to speak of. And

that is the familiar figure of Alan Bell with the starter's pistol. The

elite women will start on the set off, to kick-off the famous

half-marathon distance on perhaps the most famous half-marathon

course, the BUPA Great North Run. Brendan, we are always looking

forward to the masses, but I was saying how important this race is

for the likes of Mara Yamauchi and Jo Pavey, and other international

athletes, they all have half an eye on 2012. It pretty much begins here.

I think that is right. Pretty 12, the London Olympic Games, Jo Pavey

explained earlier, we have some very good marathon runners in the

women's section, led by Paula Radcliffe, who we will see next

week running in Berlin, but also Liz Yelling, Jo Pavey, Mara

Yamauchi. Three of those four will be detained for 2012. -- will be

the team. Mara Yamauchi has to get a qualifying time in Yokohama.

Paula will be trying next week to get a qualifying time. So the

London Olympics starts to hang over these athletes, they are all

thinking about it, as they should be. Great to see Jo Pavey back in

action. She was selected for the World Championships in Daegu, but

unfortunately had to pull out. She now feels as though she is ready.

Barrios next to her, the former champion. And there, the previous

champion, Jessica Augusto, and Berhane Adere, Reading next to her.

-- running. In the green vest, an interesting local athlete, Freya

Murray, who is back from injury. Helen Clitheroe, we saw her run the

great Manchester run, I wonder how she will take this half marathon.

They are just getting ready, unwinding, just finding out their

position. On the inside, there is a Mara Yamauchi. I was trying to work

out the colours, but it is a sort of red and off Orange, it can there

be such a thing as that? Early stages. I was looking at the

athlete who were lining up this year, and insisting that Jo Pavey

is looking keen to move these things along. You don't want to

waste the opportunity piloting three or four miles slip by, going

to slow, but there is nobody... Jo Pavey looks keen to go hard early

on. You are right, you don't want to get ready, come here fit and

able to run well, and not run both a good positional, tactical race,

but also run a decent time. So Jo Pavey, just encouraging these

while longer to wait. So they get a chance for a last-minute -- to the

toilet. Claremont Road, down the left, and thousands trying to get a

vantage-point of what is always an inspiring and spectacular sight.

The warm-up, well underway, clothes being discarded. And the operation,

to get this start area fit for purpose began at 8pm last night.

Any revellers returning home had to find an alternative route. The

central motorway, as you can see, it is a massive operation to get it

ready for one of the world's biggest events. Looks like Nell

McAndrew, joining in the warm-up. Anyone who watches this event

regularly will know what a good athlete she is. As I said,

conditions pretty much ideal today. Keep yourself a nice and warm at

the start. We saw one or two going down very early this morning, at

about 7am, well wrapped up, but the sun has warned everybody up quite

nicely. The prospect of a few showers later on, but that might be

when they need them, as they are approaching South Shields in a

Yesterday the quayside was the scene of a very popular City Games,

Mo Farah was in more familiar attire, performing very well,

wouldn't be two miles. So many people delighted to see him on

Tyneside this weekend. A little bit easier for him today. You can see

them going through the underpass on the central motorway there. And the

streets of Newcastle, pretty much clear, as they have to be, of

course. As it tends to be with the women's elite race, the spectators

want to come out and watch a big masses, sewer the Tyne Bridge will

fill -- it so the Tyne Bridge will fail. They are used to somebody

going quickly through the first miles, but a bit more circumspect

now. They have got a surprise pacemaker with Jo Pavey. She knows

what kind of pace she is running, they trained with watches on, so

they know what kind of pace they are ready. Barrios next over, she

finished 9th in the world championships. She was the first

European, so she is obviously a class athlete. One mile behind them,

just over 12 miles to go, and a big group in the women's race. Some of

Britain's best athletes are among them. The landscape of Newcastle

hasn't changed too much in awe of the years that the Great North Run

has been morning. -- in all of the years. Take this opportunity to

coast down the central route. It is one of the reasons why so many

people are in the north-east want to come and run the event, it is

the only time the Tyne Bridge is very experienced athletes. An awful

lot of experience in this pack. Just all encouraging each other

through these first couple of miles, just keeping the place going. It is

quick enough, it is not silly quick, but quite enough. The crowds are

out now on the Tyne Bridge. The crowds are filling up down here at

South Shields, where we are based. Jo Pavey will be getting good

support, Helen Clitheroe is a very popular athlete, she won the Europa

Cup here, many years ago. That was 1500 metres. She is a very popular

athlete, she has served Great Britain well, and thinking about

the marathon, today for Helen Clitheroe, on the outside there,

she is about four. Today is the time when she makes the decision to

stop if she enjoys the half marathon, she will have a go at the

marathon. Jo Pavey started as a 1500 metres runner, and Helen as

well, a lot more of the women seem to move through. It happens much

less in the men's events. That is a very good point. You are right.

These athletes are quality athletes, Jo Pavey was world class at 5000

metres, didn't quite enjoyed a 10,000, even though she ran well at

the World Championships. Then the a loo of the Olympic marathon, the

London Marathon, her debut in the Great North Run, she was only two

seconds away from victory when she ran that race, I'm sure she had a

good experience, hopefully she can translate that. You can see she

wants to get on with the race, she is not bothered too much about who

is around her, who is positioning herself, this is a big leading

group. Being stretched now by Jessica Augusto and Barrios of

Portugal. There is Helen Clitheroe on the near side, the dangerous

figure of Berhane Adere. She may win the race, but also, she is one

of these athletes that is not comfortable to run around, she gets

was then! They have a long way to go. A lot of exuberance at the

start, but great scenes, 10 or 15 minutes or so from the start. They

will all be on their way. Some 10 to be a bit cheeky and tend to go a

bit further up from where they are supposed to. They will be on their

way shortly, I think Jonathan has one of those who should be looking

forward to another great rowing For this man, a lap of honour.

is right, I have been granted the lap of honour, it is a great honour

to be taking part. Tell us about this he did go to a 3100. I ran

3100 miles from California to New York. Are raised to money for St

Benedict's Hospice and the Children's Foundation. It is the

number of miles I ran across America. Enjoyed a day, and make

Five years ago, Rachel was diagnosed with motor neurone

disease. She changed her perspective and now counts herself

fortunate to be alive, surrounded by loving friends and family. The

Motor neurone disease Foundation provided invaluable support, and

she is raising funds today, pushed around by her friend John Dickinson.

Nine year-old Dylan's this wish is to swim with dolphins. The charity

is Starlight. Gillian Ferguson lost her entire

memory come with no recollection of family and friends. In five years,

she has overcome huge obstacles, relearning how to talk and walk.

Today is the biggest demonstration minutes. This is a massive, massive

operation, both at the start and at the finish. We are sitting down at

South Shields, and there are massive crowds gathering already.

The some of them, may be about three hours before they cross the

finish line. For many, it will be around an hour and a half, to about

Let's have a look at some of the preparation which goes into this

produce more than 5,000 balloons for the Great North Run. We have

been doing it for about 14-15 years. The balloons will be going down to

South Shields, and put into the charity village. Also, up at the

finishing line. We started inflating this morning, and I think

we will still be inflating by 5 o'clock tomorrow night. Hopefully

have got the best team in the world. My girls will go, not the extra

mile, they will go the extra 100 miles for us. It is hard to get

that commitment from people. We are blessed with our staff. We are a

piece of the Great North Run. Whereas nervous as anybody else.

What other contingency plans? Have we ordered enough gas? Do we have

enough balloons? All of these things, one of the time they're

swirling around your head. It is nice to be part of something that

is in the north-east, it's huge, and we're part of it. And we love

day out without a few balloons, and there's an awful lot of them out on

the course today. There has been a bit of a break-up while we were

watching that. This is the lead group. You can see Helen Clitheroe

just on the back of that group. Jo Pavey still looking OK. A little

further back is Mara Yamauchi. BRENDAN FOSTER: Yes, we were hoping

Mara Yamauchi would be running well, but she is obviously under pressure

already. There's Helen Clitheroe. She knows this is longer and

further than she has gone before, competitively. She has got some

world-class athletes around her. It is very, very early in the race,

but already, things are happening. Mara Yamauchi will be disappointed

she has not been able to go with it. There was a little bit of a surge.

The pace had been reasonably swift through two miles. We will look at

the Three Mile split in a moment. The pace is inside 67 pace, pretty

swift Railey, considering that many of these women have not been close

to that in recent times. So yes, that third mile, 5.05, that is why

it has broken up. Yes, that is a bit quick. Maybe that's why Mara

Yamauchi has gone off the back. There she is. Looking comfortable

and controlled, but clearly, with that increase in pace, I think she

will know that she's probably not capable of running 67 minutes. So,

she's running quite wisely, really. Ahead of her she has got Freya

Murray, who can be a bit of an aggressive athlete, on her day. You

can see the gap, which has opened behind the lead group. That group

really has been shaken up. So, a good, quick early pace, these

athletes setting out with real pace. Very happy with this early pace,

Berhane Adere. Just coming up to the next section, we will see

whether the pace carries on at the same rate. If it does, this group

will break up very, very quickly indeed, and we may be left with

just two or three after halfway or so. They're well on their way. Back

in Newcastle, tens of thousands are lined up, ready to go in a few

minutes' time. Earlier on, we were saying that it is a very special

year, after the tragic accident which happened with the Red Arrows

earlier on this year, it is a very poignant day for them. Normally we

would see the Red Arrows fly-past over the Tyne Bridge, and then they

welcome everybody at the finish line. But they're going to make a

special fly-past before the main race starts, which is very shortly

indeed. I'm sure they will get a rapturous reception down there on

the central motorway. That little uphill section, as I thought might

happen, if you keep the pace on up hill, this is what happens. She has

broken that group up completely. She's trying to push on. In third

place there, Jessica Augusto. This is a big pace at this stage. Is

this a bit too quick, too early? Well, she is the Commonwealth

champion, but it is decision time. Do you assume that they will not be

able to keep going this quickly? The two of these are pulling away

from the rest. Jo Pavey working hard in fifth place at the moment.

Four miles completed, it is a significant lead at this early

stage, but an awful lot can happen yet. I was talking about the Red

Arrows, and of course, we spoke to the widow of Flight Lieutenant Jon

Egging. This is a special moment as for the instructions of the elite

men on the start line. This is the man who one the London Marathon

this year, the favourite for this year's race, one of the quickest in

the world over the marathon distance, Emmanuel Mutai. The

course record of 59 minutes, 5 seconds could be under threat today.

It is almost a minute quicker than his personal best, but conditions

are good today. The man who won the World Championship marathon in 2003

and 2005, Joauad Gharib. Another man who's well known to those who

watch the London Marathon regularly. Still one of the world's best. And

what about this man? John Kelai, he won the Commonwealth marathon in

Delhi. That personal best of his you would imagine is one which he

is capable of beating. One or two others to watch out for. We will

pick them out once they're under way. So, Mo Farah, our new world

champion, gets it started. Along with Emma Eggin. The miles of

training, the dreams and aspirations, and so many personal

stories, wrapped up in a sporting spectacle that is enjoyed not only

here on Tyneside, but throughout the country and throughout the

world. It all began back in 1981, 30 years ago, and who could have

imagined what it would grow to become? I'm sure we will see Mo

Farah One Day coming here to compete, rather than standing there,

and he will probably find it a lot easier than what will be happening

to him over the next half-an-hour! But they will be delighted that

he's here to join in the fun. That is one of the special things about

events like this, the world's best at the front lining up at the same

time as everybody else. It doesn't matter how good you are, house low

you are, you're all taking part in the same event. -- how slow you are.

BRENDAN FOSTER: He has entered into the spirit of it. He is quick-

witted, he will be giving as good as he gets, regarding the banter.

He has a good attitude. Great, great athlete and a good ambassador

for the sport. He likes this area as well. He said he went out for a

pint last night with one of his friends from the Sunderland

Carriers. He said to me yesterday, he used to come up secretly, but I

don't think that is going to happen any more for Mo Farah, not in this

moment. Let's hope that they're still in a happy mood when they

reach South Shields. It will be hard work for many. Some will have

turned up with not quite the right amount of preparation, but they

will get there in the end. Millions of pounds are being raised for

charity. Some of those charities are small and local, others

national and indeed international. PAUL DICKENSON: This really is a

remarkable scene, and these scenes will continue for some time yet.

Congratulations once again to the start line team, they have been

there all night building the start area. It will be some time before

their work is complete. These are the elite men at the front. Back

with the women, Kabou has really taken it to the field. If she manes

this pace, but it is a big if. She has just thrown in another five-

minute 7 Mile, a fairly quick section. At the moment, she's

heading for something well under 67 minutes, which I would suggest

would be very, very fast for her. She's a good athlete, but it seems

a bit quick for me at this stage. think I would be a bit surprised

too is she kept going right that. And now, Helen Kluge Row, who

always looks more relaxed to me on the roads... -- Helen Clitheroe.

Alongside Jo Pavey there. It is not too late for an athlete like Helen

Clitheroe to embark on a marathon career. Looking comfortable there,

Jessica Augusto. But this race is a the left here. There has been a lot

of roadworks, people have been avoiding this roundabout, but that

work is not far from being finished, I am told. That is of no interest

to our athletes today. This is the first time they start really

heading towards South Shields. That is a big, big lead at this point.

It is the sort of pace that has taken us all by surprise. She is

resitting her stall out here in these early miles. -- really

setting her stall out. Always a lot of support here. This is where

Denise Lewis will be catching up with many of the slower runners

sedate start. 4.32 through their first mile. Heading over the Tyne

Bridge, just seeing a few spots of rain on the camera there. Those

showers, writing about an hour earlier than they were forecast. --

arriving. Looking down on the date had side of the quayside, the

Millennium Bridge in the distance there. A wonderful backdrop. I

think it was that picture in the early days which sealed an early

reputation for this event, this road, completely failed, taken from

the Gateshead side, looking back over the Tyne Bridge. It is not

full yet, but it will not be long before you will not be able to see

the week, some of the ban has got blown off the bridge. Fortunately

today, a little bit better than that. Threatening showers, but that

is not a bad thing for the runners. A little bit of an inconvenience

for the spectators, the crowds are gathering now on the Tyne Bridge.

Here come the leading athletes, the settling down. Emmanuel Mutai, the

London Marathon champion, looking relaxed there. The Kenya and

present is significant, and the Kenyan talent just keeps increasing

and increasing. This one is a man many are talking about being one of

the favourites for the Olympic Games in London next year. They are

moving along at a pretty good pace already, seems as if they have

settled in. Meanwhile, Mo Farah is, I am sure, thoroughly enjoying his

role here this morning. He is going to be making his weight to the

after his stint at the start. He was thinking about running this

event, he said he would have loved to have won this, he says he can

see his way to a half marathon and eventually to a marathon distance.

I'm sure we will see him run the London Marathon one day. We haven't

had a British winner since 1986 when Steve Kenyon won that race. If

Mo Farah was running vest today, I think he might find it a bit tough

after his exertions. But he is doing the hard job of shaking

54,000 hands as they go down the start. And it is a good thing, we

are talking about the logistics of getting everybody across the start

line, everybody having a bit of a walk at the start. Everyone has a

chip which is only activated when they crossed the start line, so

they get an accurate time of what they cover the distance in. A lot

of these watches these days have G Ps systems. On my watch, it was

13.22 miles. The course wasn't a measured properly! Somebody told

the man that the course wasn't measure properly, I wouldn't like

incredibly composed earlier. She is remembering her husband, Jon Egging.

Let's hope she has a great experience down there, running the

event. They were both keen runners, and I'm sure, she will be thinking

of him all the way down to South start, but in the women's race, the

fireworks are really going off. They have set off at a pretty good

pace, and then this athlete has been forcing on. If it is accurate,

after accept that it is, the 6th mile was of 4.49. Have you ever

seen that at the Great North Run at this stage? It is amazing, but look

at the split times. This is amazing running. We have got little

evidence that she has run much further than 10 kilometres in any

significant time, she is the Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion,

and she was comfortable in doing that. She has trained in Japan, and

Japanese marathon coaches know about marathon running. She has run

with the leading group, she has settled down, got in amongst them,

and suddenly, she has decided... And that there are world-class

minute mile. That is why their gap is there. The question has to be,

how on earth is she going to keep this going? Because if she does,

she is going to run one of the quickest half marathons we have

seen for quite a while. Her personal best goes back to 2004,

when she ran just inside 70 minutes, and at the moment, she is running

three or four minutes quicker than the very first finisher in this

year's Great North Run. We think it is Josh Cassidy, the Canadian. He

has made it a double here this weekend, he won the Tyne Tunnel

race, and as he was going through the Tyne Tunnel on the downhill

section, he was clocked at over 50 mph, which was a phenomenal

achievement. He won two years ago, he won the London Marathon last

year. Certainly establishing himself as one of the premiere

wheelchair races in the world, no matter what distance he goes at.

That is just a phenomenal time. Certainly well inside of David

Weir's course record. We wish David well, he has a niggling injury, he

has let us know. We wish his young boy A Mason well as well for the

second -- we wish him well. Coleman there or thereabouts, a former

winner of the Great North Run 10 years ago. But certainly the winner,

Josh Cassidy, well ahead at any body. -- ahead of anybody. Perfect

longer this day goes on, do more packed the finish becomes. It has

just been getting further and further sense around 8am this

he has done it again. He certainly is the best racer in the world at

fill my sleeve. -- nicely. Still very early stages. These will be

finishing in the first 3000, 4000. That is no mean feat in a race with

so many people taking part. Meanwhile, at the front, no real

surprises. They have moved away, this group of five. Jonathan Maiyo,

on the inside, he is one that some people have suggested could have a

and it is that transition, from the track onto the road that you were

looking for. Emmanuel Mutai, without a great track pedigree, has

done that really well. Kenya have such an embarrassment of riches, it

is hard to choose. Do you go for the 10,000 on the track, do you go

for the half marathon, would you go, there is a blockage of talent.

you look at Emmanuel Mutai, fantastic performance in the London

Marathon, silver medal in the world championships, at the end of the

day, he is not sure whether he is going to be able to make the Kenyan

team! Then you're looking at a bit of a gap to the marathon runner,

and there is nothing to see. She is so far ahead, she has just run

another five minutes a mile. -- a five minute mile. She has had just

over a year out, she gave birth to a baby daughter, she has been back

in Kenya, trading hard with some of their top athletes, and that has

obviously been paying off. She might not have put in too many

performances, this is only her second run since getting back to

full fitness, but so far, this is the sort of run we haven't seen

from her for an awful long time. Just wondering, as she turned into

the John Reid Road, if you have tired legs,... She has been running

some very fast miles, and that that sort of pace, even for the world's

best to maintain, would be something special. Let's keep an

arms. She knows what pace she is going out, she would have monitored

her fitness. She is obviously a really can she interest trainer,

she was living in Japan, she was disappointed over the last year. --

really conscientious drainer. But look at the gap ahead of her. What

we cannot understand still is how quickly the leader is running. We

cannot understand how she is so far ahead. There is Freya Murray. She

has been out through injury, she is coming back, and has put herself in

a good place. Disappointing position so far for Mara Yamauchi.

As a look down the road, Helen Clitheroe and Jo Pavey, the two

comfortably now. As we look ahead, that the Hungarian coming into shot.

A renowned international athlete. And we can see last year's champion,

Berhane Adere, struggling a bit now. We're hoping to see Jo Pavey and

Helen Clitheroe running together, and running strongly, and working

their way through the field. Helen will be very happy to have the

company of Jo Pavey. They have been good friends on the British team

for many years. This is a stared into the unknown for Helen

Clitheroe. Winning the wheelchair race once again, defending her

title, Shelley once. The time will be very, very close to the course

Bridge. That's the picture I was talking about earlier on, the

picture that have now almost took people's breath away when they saw

it that very first year. There were only 12,000 then as well, but it

was still an impressive sight. It made an awful lot of people think,

yes, I want to be part of that. I'm not sure everybody always realises

how much training you have got to do. Perhaps these days they may be

do little bit less than they used to, and take a bit longer to get

round. A half Marion -- a half marathon, 13.1 miles, is an awful

long way. To me, these days, it seems like it is getting longer. We

have still got the breakaway leader in the women's race, and we have

got three Kenyans leading in the men's race. Here they are. These

three have pushed on a little. Still early stages. I'm surprised,

it is not that fast, just looking at the splits. Nothing special has

happened. I'm really surprised that at this early stage, Emmanuel Mutai

is struggling to keep up. But these three look comfortable, you would

have expected Emmanuel Mutai to be with them. You would not give

athletes like these so much of a lead if you were in control of

things. Because these are good with the Great North Run, but the

appearance of the Red Arrows cost an equally special to the event.

And of course this year there was added significance. Flight

Lieutenant Jon Egging was sadly killed, and this fly-past in

particular will be of particular significance, as one of them will

peel off, to indicate the missing peel off, to indicate the missing

The fly past, in memory of Red 4. We wish his widow, who's here today,

all the best. The Red Arrows have added so much to this event over

the years. I'm sure their presence here is greatly appreciated at the

most difficult of times for them. They will be performing their full

display down at South Shields for all of these athletes later on.

Let's hope conditions stay fair for that. So, our first big break in

the men's race. There had been suggestions that this guy could go

well today, and indeed, Jonathan Maiyo is putting in a bit of a

Maiyo was going to go well today, but I don't think anybody expected

him to try to run away from such a Jonathan Maiyo has never been in a

position like this before. On their way to their halfway point, and we

have got a race on in the men's race now. Commonwealth champion

John Kelai here. You say, world champion, and you would assume that

is an indicator of how good you are. But the conditions in Delhi were so

tough that it is a certain type of runner which tends to win in such

conditions. It does not necessarily translate into quick times in races

like this. But nonetheless, he's a very good athlete. It was a

remarkable performance in Delhi, and you're absolutely right,

different at leads for different courses and different climates.

That day in Delhi, he would have taken some beating by anyone. It

was a real test of endurance. Just which has seen so many great

African runners come on to the world circuit, including Haile

Gebrselassie. You can see Gebrselassie, as well as Paula

Radcliffe, on the BBC, in the Birmingham marathon. Still early

stages, there has been a bit of a surge, but Martin Mathathi is not

letting him get to far away. Keeping him within his sights,

trying to make sure the gap does not get too big. If he starts to

falter later on, he will be close enough to religion. It is not a

particularly significant lead just Micah Kogo. And in the green,

road which I know pretty well. Not too far away from the Robin Hood

pub. I know over the years that has welcomed one or two Great North Run

as! I reckon you could name them! It is always nice to have somewhere

to stop off you're in need of some sustenance. But not needing any

sustenance at the minute, Lucy Kabuu is still going really well.

She's heading for a time of well under 67 minutes. It just depends

how well she finishes. It is quite a tough finish for the elite

athletes, with a bit of an increase over the next mile or so, before

they drop down to the seafront, and then there is another rise before

we really have the last three- quarters of a mile down to the

finish line. But she's still running strong, she has got a big

lead of a minute and a half. Jo Pavey and Helen Clitheroe

contesting fourth at the moment, one over two minutes behind our

leader here. But even that would bring them under 70 minutes, which

I'm sure they would be happy with. But what about Kabuu here, Brandon?

So far, it is indicating a really good time. She still looks

comfortable and strong. We have heard that she has spent time

training with Masai and Vivian Cheruiyot. You cannot get a better

training group than that. They probably knew something that we

didn't know, that this was a pretty outstanding athlete. We knew she

was pretty good, we did not realise she was this good. She has taken

the field by storm. She's now in the area and as she has got to try

to hang on to this. She has got 55 minutes of running behind her.

Approx 10-12 minutes of running left. When you have trained as much

as she has, and been competitive as much as she has over the shorter

distance, once she gets on to the seafront, then I think there will

be a real competition. But here, Helen Clitheroe going really well,

Jo Pavey hanging on to Helen Clitheroe. Going past Berhane Adere.

They have got some company. Jo Pavey just starting to push on. Jo

and Helen are still heading for something possibly under 70 minutes.

I'm pretty sure if they were to maintain this sort of pace, they

would be reasonably happy. Particularly Helen. Jo might want

to go a bit quicker, but it depends how she finishes this off. She's

heading the Skrtel group, which means she's in fourth place.

They're well over two minutes gather. This is the third place

runner. She looks as though she's nice and relaxed. She's probably

about 80 metres ahead of fourth run from Jessica Augusto. It has

been a difficult year for her. Her father died in May. She has got his

name tattooed on the inside of her arm, and she will be thinking about

him. It was a bit of a shock to the whole family. But Jessica Augusto

has had a pretty good summer, despite that. I thought she had a

pretty good chance today, but that was without reckoning for this

young lady here, Lucy Kabuu. She has just done a 5.15. And that is a

difficult part of the course as well. So she's still maintaining

good pace. BRENDAN FOSTER: The only athlete we

have seen go anywhere near as quick as this on this course was Paula

Radcliffe, when she did the fastest time, 65 minutes. And at the moment,

Lucy Kabuu is going just one minute slower than that pace. So, we have

another Kenyan athlete thrust of so far by Jessica Augusto. Helen

Clitheroe is running really well. Lucy Kabuu, just having a look

around, nothing really to see. She has a big lead over Jessica Augusto.

Even if she is feeling tired, she should be able to maintain this

tour the finish. -- until the finish. Her coach will be delighted

with the way she is going. He has been part of the team around Mo

Farah. Just looking a little bit tired, it is a kind of undulating

section this. When you are tired, they are not be killed, but enough

just to test you. -- they're not big hills. Maybe just feeling that

a little bit. I mentioned Mo Farah, he is still there, shaking hands at

the start. He has been shaking hands for 36 minutes! He doesn't

run that much! Look at that, he is still getting... He has still got a

great attitude, still smiling and cheering. They know what he went

through to win those medals, because they have gone through

similar training and preparation for a big event. He came out with a

gold medal, which was wonderful to see, and a silver medal to beat. A

very modest young man. And there, another athlete on her way to an

outstanding performance. Lucy Kabuu, she will see the sea ahead of her,

hitting the Twelve Mile Point. The crowd will be so enthusiastic. She

will really appreciate that. She comes around the corner. This, they

tell you, is the longest mile in distance running. It is actually

just over a mile! You can see the big screen, you can see the crowds,

as you work along the seafront. But it never get closer, it is the long

one, the tough one, you have to keep working at it. Lucy Kabuu of

Kenya, the Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion, is now within

sight of the finish. Well, if she can just maintain some sort of form

over this last mile or so, she is certainly going to put us off in

the top 10 ever half marathon runners in the world. -- put

herself. She is heading for a time that is certainly going to be very,

very impressive indeed. She has just run a 5.17 Mile, the slowest

mile she has run since the 4th mile. So she is getting tired, but if she

can just raised her game, she still could run under 67 minutes, and

that would be very impressive indeed. So Lucy Kabuu, with the

road all to herself, nobody else in sight. Into the last three-quarters

of a mile. From where she is, she cannot see the finish, because

there is a bit over rise and she has to come over, then she will see

the long, long finishing straight, where the crowds are gathered,

waiting to welcome her. Another look behind. She must be tired.

Nothing would have changed since the last time she looked! Certainly,

the victory is hers, it is a question of how fast she can run

in the 10,000 metres, she has had time out since the 2006, to start a

family, not everybody manages to come back to that sort of level. So

this is a very impressive run. impressive. We know that Paula

Radcliffe run fast around this course, 65 minutes, this could be

the second fastest time ever run on this course. If there is only Paula

Radcliffe at her very best running faster than that, then it is very

impressive. Jessica Augusto, who won its two years ago, in second

place, running a strong race. Running fast enough to have won

this race on many occasions. But here, Lucy Kabuu of Kenya, within

the last kilometre now, she has the long finishing straight ahead. She

has to keep to her task, working hard at it. She will enjoy their

victory. She is certainly going to turning on to the seafront, it has

been a good run, she is not far behind Jo Pavey. The gap is only

about four or five seconds. Jo Pavey has pushed on, and if nothing

else, she will be the first Brit to cross the line here. Having to work

hard, she knows this stretch of course well. She ran yesterday, as

well, so a good performance from her. The Times have been slipping a

little bit. Our Leader is going to be close to the 66 minutes mark. It

would be a solid run from Jo Pavey, and a pretty impressive one from

Helen Clitheroe, were they to maintain this through to the finish,

which they should do. Helen now, competing longer than she ever has

before. She has Jo Pavey, the first Briton, in her side, I just wonder

if she can edge ahead of Jo Pavey. And here comes the long-time leader,

in many ways, the surprise leader, but the biggest surprise is the

margin of her victory. She is less than 400 metres away. Lucy Kabuu of

Kenya. Her best performance to date was to win the 10,000 metres

Commonwealth Games in 2006. Today is certainly her best performance

since then. When you look at the time that the Attlee to behind her,

just over 66 minutes, she is approaching the end, this is a

really good performance from her, a big surprise to us all. A bigger

surprise that she has won it in such style. She is mustering a

little bit extra at the end, which might bring her closer to that 67

minutes. Only nine women have ever run under that time for the half

marathon. The former Commonwealth champion from Kenya, who has moved

back home in recent times, and that has certainly paid off. This has

been a stellar performance. Nobody inside, nobody anywhere near her,

she threw in some really quick miles in the middle of the race, a

very impressive run. Just watch the clock. Just over 67, but none the

less, a superb win for Lucy Kabuu of Kenya. One of the best half

marathons we have seen, not only here on Tyneside, in the Great

North Run, but ever, in the world. And she looks back, to see a clear

road behind her. It is a long time before we will see Jessica Augusto,

who was hanging on to second place. Just let it slip away, the last

mile and a half in terms of running under 67 minutes. We will get the

official time soon. A solid run again from Jessica Augusto. Could

do anything about the winner, Lucy Kabuu. -- couldn't do anything.

went to the world championships, ran well in the 10,000 metres, has

run exceptionally well again today. But she found an athlete, and I bet

she is as surprised as we are by the margin of victory, and the way

the victory was achieved. But this is a good performance by Jessica

Augusto, always runs well when she front of her home crowd in 2010, in

Portugal. And accepting the congratulations of the big crowd

gathered here in South Shields, she is enjoying this at finishing

straight, almost as if she had won it. I think she will be pretty

pleased with his performance. -- this performance. This, another

good performance on the roads from her. It is going to be outside 69

minutes. Not too far off her personal best. The way she is

running, she looks so relaxed, and enjoying this, I'm sure it in a

race where she really prepares for it, without having a major track

championships for -- beforehand, while to offer her congratulations.

And that can a testimony to how well she ran. We are watching the

clock ticking away, it is going to go beyond a 70 minutes before we

see Jo Pavey. There she is. I think I can see barriers ahead of her, in

third place. Helen Clitheroe in 5th at the moment. They have also

slowed, really. When Lucy Kabuu put that pace in, some of them tried to

go with it for a little while, but Barrios has done well to hang on to

third. Jo Pavey and Helen Clitheroe have made inroads, but left it a

bit too late to catch up. Just over 70 minutes, in third place. Here

comes Jo Pavey, for a good return to formal. -- to form. A hard-

working performance from Jo Pavey, who will now head off to New York

to run the marathon. And a great debut behind her for Helen

Clitheroe. I think she has a chance to run an outstanding road race,

and more half marathons. A good debut, beating the Commonwealth

marathon champion, Jerotich, just crossing the line behind the two

Helen Clitheroe. Let's not forget she completed the 5000 metres in

Daegu. Perhaps she will have time to put her feet up a little bit and

good performance, we are seeing a pretty special run in the men's

race as well. The last time we looked, at the rate -- lead was

held by Jonathan Maiyo, but now, the paste is pretty quick. This man

here has continued that. And fresh from... Not everybody was fresh

from Daegu, but certainly his performance was good, outside other

medals, but a good run. Now he has pushed on. As suggested, I said

earlier on that Emmanuel Mutai would keep plugging away, we will

try find out what happened to Jonathan Meyer, but Emmanuel Mutai,

just sticking to his task. The pace has been pretty quick at the front,

they're not far away from the course record. This would be

remarkable. They are edging closer to it. So this is something we are

going to keep an eye on. That course record of 59.05 is pretty

special. The leader looks nice and comfortable, nice and balanced,

nice and relaxed. This place is one which is giving us quite a quick

race -- this pace. Looking over his shoulder, looking down the road,

the early leader looks to be in second place, Jonathan Maiyo. He is

now coming back strongly. He looks relaxed, he looks comfortable. He

is only for microsecond a slower, the course record was the fastest

half-marathon in the world at the time. He was the 5th in the world

championships, he had a couple of weeks to get ready, he takes on a

very strong field, and then, he seems to have an attack but

Jonathan Maiyo, which got them going. He is looking really relaxed

now. I just hope somebody get the information to him. When they

travel around the world, their management teams Cumwhitton,

hopefully he will get to know that he only has to run hard along the

seafront to record one of the fastest times, and could be the

for setting up this farce second half of the race and he still going

well in second place. Bigger because their leader, Martin

Mathathi, is moving so well -- they and used to train with a Lucy Kabuu

so the two of them may well be having a joint celebration.

Headings perhaps for a double victory. There is no chance of his

lead disappearing. The only question now is how fast can Martin

Mathathi go. If you look at his pedigree, he can go fast. He has

already run 13 minutes and three seconds of 500 metres, so the

pedigree that he brings for this event, bronze medal in the world

championships in 2007, so he has the youth of distance running

behind him and this year he ran well in the world championships. He

finished 5th when Mo Farah got the silver-medal. In the mix was this

man and he looks like a track runner now to me. He looks more

relaxed of the further he goes. He is up bright and erect in his past

year. Relaxing down the road. The gap is getting bigger. His legs are

starting to move quicker. If he sees that time at 12 miles and

understands, could he go up for the course record? I think that

particular mile between 11 and 12 is the crucial one. That is where

we saw Lucy Kabuu come off the pace a bit because it is a bit

undulating. Tadesse ran for 0.45 in that my when he broke the record. -

- To Dessie ran the four minutes and 45 through that when he broke

the record. When it is the 11th and 12th mile, the undulations can take

that little bit extra out of you and even if the downhill section is

heavy on the quads. It is so steep coming down to the seafront. With

tired legs, that Ken hurt. When you look at the map, it looks like a

good bit but we know it is not a good bit. It doesn't half take it

out of your legs. As he relaxes down the hill, you will see their 3

ahead of him. Then he will start to get the support. -- he will see the

sea ahead of them. Martin Mathathi of Kenya is the long wait leader

now. The longer smile is ahead of them. The Twelve Mile marker... If

he passes it, there it is. 54.1 would be the course record so he

has caught up five or six seconds in that mile, so I think that is

significant. It is not windy to be honest on the seafront but the

bikes are helping him. He has something to latch onto. If he

could finish with a big last mile, we could be seeing a new course

medal. I thought you were saying he would use the bike! Then he would

get it, or wooden tea! The official time I am being told was 53.51 --

then he would get it, wouldn't he! You can see how well he was moving.

If he keeps this pays going, we are under 59 minutes. He is looking

over his shoulder. Look at the splits. They are impressive in

themselves. His long stride, his beautiful action. Maybe he is using

the bike as a pacemaker but that is good enough. The crowd is getting

ready. The information being relayed to them. I hope he is the

information that he is on schedule on a path is ever Great North Run,

the fastest man ever to come and win here -- he is on schedule to be

the fastest ever Great North Run. His name could be at the top of the

lift. He has got a nice run down to the finish. Even the tiredness that

undoubtedly is sitting within his legs... He does not have to force

themselves a. If he can stay relaxed and pick something up in

the last few hundred metres. He is looking at his watch. I would make

it a three seconds inside the course record. He has to keep going.

He has to keep pushing. I don't know if he knows the course record.

Not all athletes are as full as the statistics as we are but he is

running a superb run and one of the quickest times, heading perhaps for

the quick as when we have seen in the Great North Run. As he is going

quicker, he looks more comfortable. He is stretching out. Well inside

of the finish. He will get a real boost in a couple of hundred metres

when he was the everybody lining the course but Martin Mathathi of

Kenya, that is what will greet him in a few moments time. Just under

57 minutes behind him, only a couple of minutes ahead of him.

Could it be under 59 minutes? Looking over his shoulder for no

real reason because nothing is going to affect him in terms of

this performance but Martin Mathathi of Kenya, bronze medallist

in the world championships, good track credentials, and he looks

like a good track runner. He looked so relaxed there, passing some of

the women athletes who set off a few minutes before him, and here he

comes, looking at his watch. That will tell him. He has been running

for 57 1/2 minutes! It won't tell him how far he has got to go! The

welcome sign now, before hundred metres point. The cyclists are

pedalling faster so he is clearly going faster. We are watching

something special from Martin Mathathi. The quickest time in the

world ever is 58.23. He will not be inside that. 58. but then after

that, another men have gone under 59 minutes and I think that will be

close for him. If he can just find something a little bit special.

59.05, the course record, held by Tadesse, if he can... He is just

check-in which lane to go. If he does not want to waste any more

time. Martin Mathathi, perhaps the biggest win of his career, the best

run of his career, he checks his watch once more... He is sprinting

down the last 150 yards! Heading for one of the quickest half

marathons of all time! Will it break a course record? You can see

the finished. He can see the clock ticking. That victory is his. Now

it is just a question of that time. Martin Mathathi! Sprinting to the

line! Wins the Great North Run inside the course record! The first

time we have ever seen anybody run inside 59 minutes! It will move him

into the top six all time for the half-marathon. And he's still looks

as fresh as a daisy. What a good performance in second place,

Jonathan Maiyo. A huge personal best for him. We will get the

official times for you as soon as we can. And Emmanuel Mutai, the

pre-race favourite, will be taking third spot. A pretty good

performance from him as well. He is trying to get under the hour mark.

He just manages it and takes third spot. Kogo from Kenya will come in

fourth. Then there is a pretty big gap I think to the 5th athlete.

What it raised from the winner. -- what a race. We have had a hugely

impressive performances from Lucy Kabuu and Martin Mathathi. Maybe he

will go and shake the hand of Jonathan Maiyo because he is the

one that changed the pace and then he picked it up after that. But

then of course man one macro just got quicker and quicker. To go from

20 seconds outside the record with five miles to go to go inside 10

seconds inside the record is a very impressive finish. This is a race

where the pace was building all the time. One of the French athletes is

just coming through now. A very good time. That is Abdellatif

Meftah. That is a really good performance by him. It has been a

tough day for Joauad Gharib, getting on of, 39 years of age,

two-time world champion. -- getting on a bit. But still running a

fairly swift 61 1/2. Six crossed the line. Quite a while before we

might get the 7th runner. Still coming to terms with that

performance. We will get the official time as soon as we can. It

was around 58.55. That is important. It is very tight on the all-time

He joins a great long list of Faber's athletes who have won this,

Haile Gebrselassie of course, perhaps one of the most famous --

long list of fabulous athletes. Back to the early days of Mike

McLeod, of course, who won the very first one. That is the best we have

The sea is very calm at South Shields thank goodness. This means

we have had really nice conditions. That is why we have had fast times.

Let's hope the thousands of others can produce some personal bests as

TANNOY: Lucy Kabuu of Kenya. the winner of the men's race,

Martin Mathathi. That is a run he will perhaps remember for the rest

of his life. That is certainly the best performance he has ever

produced. Who knows what sort of career beckons for him? Going up to

the marathon, it is a very lucrative move to make. On the

basis of what we have seen, he should not wait too long before he

There are the scenes at the finish line. It won't be long before they

was switched the lanes across to the finish on the left-hand side,

where the masses will finish, and all of the hundreds of volunteers

and bottles of water waiting for them and the space blankets and

everything else that greets them at good elite races. Lucy Kabuu's time

it took everybody by surprise, What a stunning performance in the

women's elite race. Lucy Kabuu, well done. Were you expecting this

today was mad yes. -- today? Yes. I expected it. You have been in Japan

for a while and have gone back to Kenya. Tell me about the change.