Great North Run Highlights Athletics

Hello and welcome to Newcastle. Once again, thousands have joined us here

for this year's Bupa Great North Run. Today, we will be hearing tales

of bravery, and millions of pounds will be raised for charity, and

there is also an elite race, with some of the sport's guest stars.

After double gold at the Moscow World Championships last month, Mo

Farah makes the move from track to World Championships last month, Mo

road today, leading one of the strongest fields ever. But he will

have to beat two all-time greats from Ethiopia, Haile Gebrselassie

and Kenenisa Bekele, the most from Ethiopia, Haile Gebrselassie

successful distance runner of modern times. And the women's race is

mouthwatering as well, with Tirunesh Dibaba fresh from gold in Moscow.

But she has to take on her Ethiopian team-mate, Defar. Who will come out

But she has to take on her Ethiopian on top? That elite race will take

place shortly. But as we know, the Great North Run is not just about

who can run the fastest half marathon come it is also about the

stories of these people, whose victory will not be judged against

the clock. Almost one year ago, we had a beautiful baby boy born at 30

weeks, and sadly, he was stillborn, and it was the saddest day of my

life. We had great support from the SANDS charity. Every day in the UK,

17 babies and sadly do not make it. We are supporting mothers and

fathers who have lost their babies, and behind me, we have the other

runners! We are 17 altogether. Two more weeks until you get married,

but were you not due to be married already? Yes, we had it booked in

for yesterday, and we did not realise that we had entered a run at

the same time. When it came through, we did not know what to do. It would

the same time. When it came through, not have been a great thing to do

the day after our wedding day. . I am running for Shelter today, a

the day after our wedding day. . I charity I have supported a lot over

the years. There are so many charities here today, it is hard to

the years. There are so many pick who to run for. I am running

for Mencap, but everybody has got a cause that they want to support here

today. I am running for the special care unit at the hospital in

Newcastle. We see on a daily basis where all of the money which is

raised goes to. And obviously, a special day for you, running for

your dad. Yes, my mum will be watching, she will be in tears, but

your dad. Yes, my mum will be it is for my dad, it is a great

course. My dad had cancer, and we are running for that reason. It is

our first time running together. are used to dealing with the cold.

You are dressed as penguins, but what is this all about? It is

raising money for Yorkshire Cancer B. We are cycling back tomorrow. Are

you not going to be a bit tired? We have got some penguin beer laid on

for us when we get back home. A sense of achievement you get after

months of training, getting to the end, there is nothing like it.

Well, the masses are ready, the celebrities are ready, and we know

Mo Farah is ready. So, to guide you through today's event, we have our

commentary team of Paula Radcliffe, Brendan Foster, Paul Dickinson, and

of course, Steve Cram. And the Bupa Great North Run 2013 is

under way. Immediately, Cassidy, of Canada, and David Weir, of Great

Britain, locked together. David Weir will not take his eyes off the

wheelchair of Josh Cassidy. I can tell you, down at the seafront here,

in South Shields, despite the fact that the wind is blowing very

in South Shields, despite the fact strongly, the atmosphere, as always,

is absolutely wonderful. Certainly, David Weir has been a Paralympic

superstar for quite a few years now. It would be a desperate shame if he

did decide to retire before Rio. The whole world of Paralympic sport

would be eager to see him racing again, and just thinking back to

those moments in the stadium, the Paralympic Games, last year, every

time he went out onto the track, 80,000 people were cheering madly

for him. So, an early leader there are, but the two principals, Cassidy

and David Weir, just behind him, and we expect to see them coming onto

the seafront in South Shields, to go for the major medals. Could it be

David Weir for the fourth time, or maybe Josh Cassidy, also for the

fourth time? STEVE CRAM: Away they go, then, the

women's Great North Run under way in 2013, and what a race we have in

prospect. Yesterday, we had the Great City Games. The leader there,

looking at her watch. I think she has been asked to maybe see if she

might want to run a few early miles at a decent pace. Alongside me this

morning, Brendan Foster and Paula Radcliffe. Paula Radcliffe, a

mouthwatering race... Yes, a very good race in store, and a lot of

Ethiopian pride at stake, between Defar and Dibaba, but as you

mentioned, I think Jeptoo would like to get into the mix as well. I think

Dibaba wanted something around 31 minutes, through ten K, which would

put her below 66. So, Charlene Thomas looks as though she has gone

out at that pace. Nobody seems that keen to follow her at first, but

now, Dibaba is settling in behind her. Well, Dibaba has been asking if

anybody is going to help her run a her. Well, Dibaba has been asking if

fast time. We think this is a competitive race. Also, she will

find this place a little bit slow, because her normal pace is mile

pace. Also in that company at the moment is Prokopcuka. They go over

the iconic Tyne Bridge, past the stadium, and then the wind will

really be behind them after six miles, the fast section of the

course, entre John Reid Road, heading down eventually onto the

coast here at South Shields, where we're sitting, basically waiting for

them. It is a very firmly rooted these days. The first mile is often

a bit quicker now. The second mile can be a bit slower. And then the

third one picks up again. But interestingly, how many times have

we spoken about the idea of setting a pace on the track? Both Dibaba and

Defar do not always go with the pace, but certainly Dibaba, this

morning, looks like she is up for this. Dibaba and Prokopcuka

following her very closely. Charlene Thomas has been asked to at least

get this thing going quickly over the first couple of miles. It looks

as though David Weir is clear. They have been going for just over 14

minutes, and no sign of Josh Cassidy. We are just trying to see

if we can see the group behind. Joss Cassidy, wearing a similar strip to

David Weir. David Weir certainly found that part of the course very

hard indeed, physically taxing, but now getting back into his stride,

having a little look behind to see where the chasing group is. And so

far, they are behind, if not more. There is the

leader in the women's, four times the champion on the Great North Run

in the past, Shelly Woods. And we understand that Josh Cassidy has

pulled out, the Canadian may well have a mechanical problem. Shelly

Woods leading the women's race at the moment.

STEVE CRAM: These three big names starting to pull away at the five

STEVE CRAM: These three big names kilometre point. 16.22 was the

official time at five kilometres, which is a pretty steady pace. You

would issue and they will pick up from that, though, it is not

superfast, not the kind of pace which had been rumoured that Dibaba

was looking for. She wanted 31 minutes through ten kilometres,

theoretically, but they are not going at that kind of pace.

PAULA RADCLIFFE: I think of that kind of pace in the early stages,

without any doubt, we are going to see this race picked up in the

second half, in the last couple of miles. That is where we will see the

faster miles. Usually six and seven, or seven and eight, are slightly

downhill and very fast, and then the or seven and eight, are slightly

last mile along the seafront, if the wind stays in their favour, that

should also be very fast. Back at the start, all the excite and

building, and of course it should be. This is the most outstanding

line-up of talent that we have seen for a long time. -- all the

excitement. Kenenisa Bekele, it has not been a great year for him so

far, but he might be looking to get one over on the old master here,

Haile Gebrselassie. A new generation, but they are still going

to have to work hard to beat the old man. And is this the start of a

to have to work hard to beat the old whole new sector of Mo Farah's

career? A huge welcome onto the start line for the first time in the

Great North Run. Christine O'Hara go and Graeme Swann

in the starting box there. STEVE CRAM: Every single year, tens

of thousands of people come, some from just around the corner, some

from far-away. Local athletics clubs are well represented. But now they

come from all over the UK, Europe and the world, to take part. It is

perhaps the world 's greatest half marathon. We have had warmer days,

sunnier days, but that does not matter when you are taking part. The

weather is always a bit of a sideshow. The challenge ahead is

what brings people to this, and the atmosphere and the sense of

achievement, which they will all have, the vast majority of them,

when they get to the other end, in an hour, two hours, three hours, who

knows? So, 400 metres to go for David Weir, to become our first

winner this year. Very disappointing that we lost Josh Cassidy very, very

early. Both former champions, of course. Mechanical problems for the

Canadian. But no doubt about the winner here. Four times the

Paralympic champion in London last year. David Weir, such a tough

competitor. Interesting to hear him sounding very cagey about his

prospects of competing in Rio in three years' time. I am sure he

will, I hope he will. But no doubt about the fact that he has won on

Tyneside once again. Four times the winner of the Great North Run now,

David Weir. It really is warming up in this women's race. They have just

run a 4.42 mile for the seventh mile, may be one of the quickest

ever miles in the women's Great North Run. And they are not letting

up, either. Meanwhile, back with the men, the Gateshead Stadium looking

resplendent. We had the European Team Championships there this year.

And what a sprint finish we had, didn't we, Brendan? It was the most

amazing last lap I have seen, 50.89 for Mo Farah, the man before him

used to starters with his last lap, Kenenisa Bekele, and the man for him

who used to startle us with hybrid Gabreselassie. These three athletes

running through Gateshead Stadium, it warms my heart, it is fantastic

to see -- Haile Gebrselassie. Three of the greatest. Mo is on his way

into the record books, the questions Amir Khan Kenenisa Bekele do on the

roads what he has done on the track. We are operating well and 67 minute

pace, heading into below 66s. Jeptoo has put her foot down and this is

the first significant change. Meseret Defar trying to hang on but

Dibaba struggling. Daylight opening, more than Dibaba would want. Meseret

Defar looking back as if to check where she is because she would have

expected her to be covering it and now she is moving up much closer to

make sure that Jeptoo knows you have not got rid of me yet. Meseret Defar

was almost acting as a bridge to Jeptoo there, looked around, that

something, realised her team-mate Jeptoo there, looked around, that

was struggling and suddenly closed the gap on Jeptoo. She was almost

trying to drag Dibaba with her, wasn't she? It is a downhill section

but look at her, she is waving, saying, come on, come on, this is

where it is happening, you have got to be here. That is interesting, she

did exactly that, but Priscah Jeptoo, a very experienced

international fleet come you don't Jeptoo, a very experienced

win the London asthma -- you don't win the London Marathon by accident,

she decided she would not let Meseret Defar dominate this one and

for the first time in a long time we Meseret Defar dominate this one and

are seeing Dibaba come under pressure. She won it convincingly

are seeing Dibaba come under last time and Priscah Jeptoo, you

know the intent here. She wants to try to win it from this far out. She

wants to try to break Meseret Defar, who recently beat Tirunesh

Dibaba at 5000 metres. A world champion at 5000 metres, the Olympic

champion at 5000 metres and she is coming under pressure now. You

talked about 5000 metres and they have just run 15.03 for the last

five K, my bit of an undulating part of the course. I can't remember how

many women in the world this year ran under 15 minutes, the qualifying

time was 15.18 to get to the World Championships, so that gives you an

indication of how fast they are going, that is quick, that section.

It is, downhill with the wind behind you but it is very fast. They have

had that pull as well pretty much most of the ninth mile, gradually

had that pull as well pretty much uphill and usually that is one of

the slower miles and they still come about in 5.09. It is doing damage

and is starting to do damage to Meseret Defar as well. The gaps are

opening up and she takes the shorter tangent around the roundabout and

close it a bit but Jeptoo is definitely turning the screw here

and it is going to start doing major damage. She is trying to win it from

here, from a long way out and Meseret Defar is under pressure but

still has the composure to nip through on the inside around the

roundabout, mentally she is in good shape. This is a real brave attempts

by Priscah Jeptoo to take on two of the greatest and try and beat them.

As we say that, three of the greatest in the men's race. Well, it

is breaking may be helping them. The Red Arrows,

we were hoping we could see them at the start but the weather conditions

were not conducive, but great to see them flying over the Tyne Bridge.

Impressive, as ever. As precise as ever. The Red Arrows as much a

fixture of the Great North Run as the sight of thousands of people

crossing the Tyne Bridge. Right on cue, Shelly Woods it is who

wins the women's wheelchair race yet again. Five times the winner of this

race to. -- of this race now. Bekele has a little behind, he is aware of

what is going on in front of him because these two are beginning to

pull away. A bit of pressure applied by Haile Gebrselassie. Mo looks

incredibly comfortable at the moment and is wondering whether Bekele,

that is the last he will see of him, I suspect it might be. Haile

that is the last he will see of him, Gebrselassie looked over his

shoulder, a confident look. Right next to him, Mo Farah is there

without a problem but can allude to Bekele, those yards opening, he is

trying to stick to it but if he doesn't close the gap pretty quickly

I think we are going to see the race down to two men. The great one and

our great one, Mo Farah. Just to recap, the ten smile, 4.34 for

Jeptoo. What we haven't got is the 11th mile but what is evidenced is

that she is not slowing down. Meseret Defar just cresting the hill

that she is not slowing down. where. Maybe the gap hasn't

increased too much but this is relentless from Jeptoo. She put the

pressure on the right time and I have been handed from the

statistician, the 11 smile was covered in 4.55 as well. Not uneasy

mile as well so not slowing down and Paula's course record. Macro Getting

nervous here! I think she will be just outside it but she is on her

own and the breeze may be across the athletes rather than behind their

backs. Meseret Defar is not giving up, still moving pretty well. Jeptoo

is a good 100 metres or so ahead and looking pretty strong. Once she

makes the drop on the sea should front she will send the finish is

not too far away and as long as she hasn't overcooked it, she should be

OK. There is the gap, maybe 70 or 80 metres. Meanwhile, a great race in

the women's is being followed by a metres. Meanwhile, a great race in

great race and the men's. We are talking about Kenenisa Bekele, when

he looks as though he is struggling talking about Kenenisa Bekele, when

a little bit, you can never quite tell, all of a sudden he can turn it

a little bit, you can never quite around again and he is back in the

race. The three of them back -- battle up together and most

significantly, Mo has taken his hat off! The women are on the seafront

and the crowds here are getting excited about this. Paul is getting

nervous because the course record is 65 minutes and 40 seconds, set in

2003. The only person who to have won the London Marathon and then the

Great North Run in the same year, was that year in 2003, was Paula

Radcliffe and Jeptoo attempting to to do the same. She has won the

London Marathon and she is looking strong, pushing on. Yes, she is

looking strong. 800 metres to go there, through the 12th mile in 4.54

which is under the place that I ran in 2003. She is pushing on all the

time and she can finish now, blowing hard back-up the road here. The wind

is coming across and I think she is getting plenty of shelter from the

is coming across and I think she is strength and depth of the crowd

because despite the weather and chilly temperatures a lot of people

are supporting the finishers. This is one of those races where we can

sit and predict anything but all we have to do is wait and watch because

you cannot tell what is going to happen here. Is Mo going to go

early? Will Haile Gebrselassie continue to apply the pressure? Is

Kenenisa Bekele coming under pressure? You can't answer any of

those questions. Priscah Jeptoo, Meseret Defar on the way for a

those questions. Priscah Jeptoo, personal best but there is Priscah

Jeptoo. Paul is looking anxiously at the sign which says 400 metres to

go, 64 minutes. She is not going to run 60 seconds for the last 400

metres, I am pretty sure. There is the great Meseret Defar running the

fastest she has ever run and finding an athlete so much better than her

today. Priscah Jeptoo looks a little tired with 400 metres to go and you

never know. The time is 65.40, the course record, it is going to be

incredibly tight here. I suspect she might just miss it. A little smile

across Paula Radcliffe's face here! The quickest half marathon in the

world this year was Lucy, when she beat Priscah Jeptoo in the race

earlier in the year at the beginning of the year, when there was just two

seconds separating them. Jeptoo run 66.111 that occasion. But the

victory today looks assured. Even though she is a little tired with

200 metres to go, Meseret Defar is too far back. Cheered on by these

big crowds at the finish. Our Armed Forces on display and giving her a

great welcome as she has about 100 metres to go now. That record

disappearing. She is looking up at the clock, she can see it herself.

It is going to be very close. It is going to be a great win, London

Marathon earlier in the year and now the Great North Run. Priscah Jeptoo

of Kenya takes the title, the fastest in the world this year

outside the course record. A brilliant run, really strong running

in the middle of the race, pushed on hard. She put some hard miles in,

broke Dibaba first and then broke Meseret Defar but Meseret Defar has

done incredibly well. The Ethiopian record, 67.03, that will be smashed

by Meseret Defar. Cramp right at the end, she will be OK and when she

sees the time that is a good indication of her potential. Really

it has been Meseret Defar over this last year or two who has got the

better off Dibaba on the track and again doing it on the road. Paula,

that is still a very fast run, under 67 minutes for Dibaba as well. What

are run by Jeptoo and a solid, really good I think showing from

Meseret Defar in second place. Indefinitely. Dibaba will be the one

who will be the one who will go Indefinitely. Dibaba will be the one

concerned, thinking about moving to the marathon. The masses are

covering the Tyne Bridge, various charities, fundraising, athletes

running for their own personal best times. Thousands of them there. It

is raining quite heavily there. The wind has been pretty incessant

through the whole morning, of course, but it has been to be fair

not enough faces too much. Look how hard Mo is working, there is an

uphill section. There is the Lizard lane roundabout, steep downhill, we

have talked about that, is that an opportunity for somebody to make the

have talked about that, is that an first break? After that downhill it

is a sharp left and then we are on the seafront, then the long run to

the finish where the crowds are watching this on the big screen. All

the umbrellas are up and they are anticipating a big finish here. Will

Mo Farah leave it until the end? Will he just wait for the kick?

Wilbur Kelly try to take this away from Gabreselassie as he -- has he

got a push in the last mile or so? Can Haile Gebrselassie when the

finish out of the two younger men? Town this steep section, Haile

Gebrselassie looking for room. Mo Farah does not want to go to hard

down here, I hate downhill running, it is tough. He's trying to take my

advice, I said don't hammer down this hill because it is a very steep

drop and the temptation is to try and get a gap and run hard down

there but that does do damage and make it very difficult to pick up in

the section here. Bekele has used the downhill and you can see Haile

Gebrselassie putting his arms to his side and letting his body almost

float down, which is the right way to do it but Bekele has managed to

get a bit of a gap and Haile Gebrselassie getting across to the

other side of the road, I don't know if that is to gain more

other side of the road, I don't know attempt to win this race. Kenenisa

Bekele used the downhill section, Mo lost ten or 15 metres and now the

pressure that was on Mo Farah is being applied to a much greater

extent. That effort he is having to put in to get back to Bekele will

take a bit away of his sting in his spring finish. Is he making any

ground on Bekele? The gap might be getting bigger. The greatest

cross-country runner of all time used is technique from cross-country

running, up and down is the technique, he ran down that hill

magnificently. He accelerated down the hill. Mo held back a little and

he has stolen the gap now. Here comes Mo Farah, working hard,

attacking. The only thing we knew about this finishing run was that

Haile Gebrselassie was going to come under a bit of pressure in the

finishing run. I did say to Kenenisa Bekele, he said, don't worry, I am

fit and ready because everybody was doubting his ability. Here comes Mo

Farah now, working at it, digging deep. The one thing about Mo Farah

that you know is he will always give 100%. He is, in his own terms, a

grafter, but he is running against a man who has come back to form and he

has done that before. We have seen him be disappointing for a while and

come back to form. In the middle of him be disappointing for a while and

this race you would not have given tuppence for his chances and here we

are now, Kenenisa Bekele testing Mo Farah. Mo Farah is fighting really,

really hard. I thought he was working hard couple of miles back,

you could tell from his facial expression. This is Mo Farah under

real pressure, gritting his teeth, trying to find something, because

Bekele is not letting up. That gap if anything is getting bigger. It is

about five seconds. Bekele strong, confident and quick. Unless Mo can

turn around them are meant, which is going towards Bekele, he is going to

run out of time, space and speed. Well, the greatest cross-country

runner of all time, the great track man of many years ago, the world

record-holder for 5000 metres and man of many years ago, the world

10,000 metres, on this performance, is telling everybody, I am going to

be as good on the roads as I have been on the track. He wants to be,

he has built his own running track so that he can get his training

done, and Mo Farah is on his way. PAULA RADCLIFFE: Mo Farah will be

getting great support on this closing straight, and he needs to

keep focused on Kenenisa Bekele. He closing straight, and he needs to

keeps looking over his shoulder. We do not know what that indicates

exactly. I do not think that gap is closing. But all of a sudden, a

different cadence from Mo Farah, is this over, is he changing gear?

Kenenisa Bekele does not have the pace he used to have, but is there

enough room, enough distance, for Mo Farah to close this gap?

BRENDAN FOSTER: It is a last effort from Mo Farah. Can he do on the road

what he has done on the track? Bekele is saying, do not write me

off. 400 metres to go, here comes Mo Farah. He is running like we have

off. 400 metres to go, here comes Mo seen him run all season. He is

heading for Kenenisa Bekele, and Bekele knows he is coming. Has he

left it too late? 300 metres to go, Bekele behind again, but Mo Farah

has made a huge effort to try to get back to him, and the crowd know it.

They are cheering him on, they have seen him do it on the track. Can he

do it on the roads here? 200 metres to go. Look V leading, Mo Farah on

the charge. A great battle between two great champions. Bekele it in

his teeth, but Mo Farah is coming! two great champions. Bekele it in

It is relentless. He wants to win this. He is digging deep. Bekele

spells again, but Mo Farah, fighting hard. The two of them, almost

side-by-side. He has got to make one more effort to try and get there,

but Bekele is go to hold him off. A great race, a great win for a great

champion. The Great North Run goes to Bekele. Mo Farah has to settle

for second place, in one of the greatest finishes we have ever seen

in this race. Just for a moment, it looked as though he might do it.

Just for a little while, it looked as though his track speed might pay

off. And the two younger men pulled away in the latter stages from

perhaps the greatest of all time, Haile Gebrselassie. He might not

know who won this... Well, now he does. Just as a bit of a

consolation, I am told that is a world record for over 40-year-olds

in a half marathon. So, just outside 60 minutes for Bekele. That is well

outside his personal best, of course. Johnny Miller heading up the

next group of British athletes. Many congratulations on a great win cash

how confident were you that you could run like this? I was

concentrating hard and training hard and feeling confident. My injury has

been getting better and better, and and feeling confident. My injury has

in the end, I did it. It was a great race I thought, when he went, with

one mile to go, I thought the pace was just ridiculous. I thought I

could come back and close the gap slowly. I managed to close it a

little bit, but you cannot take away what he has. He has great speed. It

came down to the line. It was a great race, and Haile did most of

the work, and kept pushing. You young boys, with the 40-year-old in

the middle, and then you kick away from him after he has done all of

the middle, and then you kick away the work? ! It was the only chance I

had today, to push from the beginning, but it was wonderful. Of

course what you got, which neither of these two got, was a world

record. At least it is something! And Mo, in terms of your

preparations for London, how much did this teach you today? A lot,

because the World Championships was my main focus. I only had two or

three weeks preparing for this race, but at the same time, I am

disappointed to finish second. But I did not just finish second, I

finished second to a great athlete. This is what it is all about. I will

go on holiday and get ready for the London Marathon. Jeptoo, beating

Messer wreck Defar, who got a new Ethiopian record, in second place.

Jeptoo, of Kenny, many congratulations, your first time

doing the Great North Run and a very strong, fast victory? Today, I am

very happy. It is an amazing day for me, because I did not know that I

would run such an amazing time. And there is the result, David Wear, a

couple of minutes outside his own course record, which he set back in

2009. Shelly Woods leading the all British top trio in the women's

race. 2009. Shelly Woods leading the all

British top trio David, just past finish line, we know the conditions

were tough, but was that as easy as it looked for you today? Not really.

It was a good test to see where I am at at the moment. I surprised

myself, as I have only been back pushing for a couple of weeks, so I

am very happy with that sort of time. It was tough, some parts were

tough, with the wind. But there was a lot of bits which helped you a

lot. I was thankful the rain held off, because the roads were greasy,

so we had to take it carefully on the first downhill, making sure the

tyres were ready for the greasy roads. Shelly Woods, victory number

five here in the north-east, so how does it compare? It is very foreign

in, I am very happy. It was a tough day. I found it difficult. So, I

just kept chasing the guys. There was not much international

competition here this weekend, but the guys gave me enough competition

to just try and chase them and go for a good time. You say a good

time, you had the course record previously, it has been taken off

you and you really wanted back, so I think we will see you a couple more

times at least here. Most definitely, I would love to go under

50 minutes on this course. My best ever is just seven seconds over

that. The one year I took a break from this race, the American girl

came over and smashed it. So, one year I will come back and I really

think I can do that. A good day, with some good conditions, it will

be within my reach. What a race between Mo Farah and Bekele, an

incredible finish, very tight. But I am sure Mo will

year's London Marathon. Now, it will be time for him to get a little bit

of rest, unlike the other runners, who are still out on the course.

I am running for the Meningitis Trust, and I am also competing

against my brother-in-law. I had better let you go! Good luck!

We thought we would get dressed up as toy soldiers. Every year, Wendy

does our outfits. This is our third year doing it, and it is the best

fun, a little bit hard work, but apart from that!

Whoever the woman was at about mile 11th who had the sausage rolls, I

Whoever the woman was at about mile know it is not exact to Mo Farah

stuff, but it did it for me, I have to say.

Hoping for a good time? Oh, sorry, you mean running time? I did not

know what you were offering me then!

It is good, except I fell on Thursday and I hurt my ribs, so I

have to stop to breathe! Never done it before, so would you

come back? Absolutely, definitely. I will have a couple of drinks tonight

with you and Thomas, and life does not get better than that!

I looked up and I saw five miles, and I thought it was only three

miles. Where are we now? Halfway! OK, I had better get going.

I just wanted to cry when I crossed the finishing line. I rang with my

daughter, who has been there to support me the whole way. Neither of

us have ever run before. It was brilliant. I will be back. That is

it from the Bupa Great North Run for 2013. It has certainly been an

it from the Bupa Great North Run for uplifting day. If you have been

inspired by the stories of the masses, or even by that spectacular

finish in the men's elite event, well hopefully, you will be

encouraged to put on a pair of trainers and join us next year.

Goodbye for now.