Great North Run Athletics

Daunay we had an idea 30 years ago, the idea was to organise an event to

run from Newcastle to South Shields. Nobody could have conceived what it

would end up us. Why not run? It is special. A participate. Everybody

comes out on Sunday and everybody's watching. In terms of the people

taking part, there are so many. Just a fantastic atmosphere on the

course, you know? The crowd get behind you. That's why I come back

and race here. This year it is different. To have Tirunesh Dibaba

coming together over the half marathon distance for the first

time, there's a lot of pride at stake there. We did a great

achievement for our country and this half marathon is a great opportunity

to run together. Two generations, my generation and Kenisa's generation

and now Mo Farah. This is the best ever. It is very exciting for me to

take part. Britain's greatest ever distan runner and newly crowned

double crowned world champion Mo Farah heads the greatest half

marathon line-up in history. Between them 18 Olympic and Paralympic gold

medals, 25 world titles and a broken 27 world records. Burr today isn't

just about the stars. Indeed they are not what makes the Great North

Run so special. Behind Mo and others on the start line will be another

50,000 runners, club athletes and first timers. All in all, not your

average day on Tyneside. A very good morning to you and welcome to the

average day on Tyneside. A very good 33rd Great North Run, a day when the

North East opens its arms, just like the Angel a, and welcomes the world.

The challenge is the same, whether you are dressed as Mo Farah or

Father Christmas. Sometimes the joy or the agony of being a long

distance runner. In 1981 there were just 12,000 runners are. It was

billed as a local fun run. Now 32 years later this event is the most

famous half marathon in the world. It attracts big name athletes and

big name celebrities. It has the biggest heart too. We've heard so

many stories of great endeavour, great courage and generosity. This

year once again every one of the 55,000 runnerses will have their own

story to tell. It is always a special day on Tyneside, even when

it is chilly. We are going to try to capture as many of the stories as

well. Let's hear first of all from Colin. I'm at one of the busiest

parts of the course. Just before anything happens, this is where

everybody will congregate towards the start. I've managed to catch up

with wall. Paul, you look very dapper, Sir. Thank you Colin, you

don't look too bad yourself. I recognise that voice from a band

called Take That by any chance? I flew up from X Factor overnight to

be with you. I play Gary Barlow in Take That. How many Great North Run

events have you participated in This is my third, but I will be honest. I

haven't trained on this one. Louis has been distracting me on X Factor.

haven't trained on this one. Louis I wish you the best, even though you

haven't done much training The it is OK, I've got the vaseline on

standby. All the best. Celebrities will be gathering just before Mo

Farah and the rest of the men's elite team set off at 10. 40. Sophie

raw worth will be among them. Will elite team set off at 10. 40. Sophie

you be able to keep up with Mo? I elite team set off at 10. 40. Sophie

doubt so. He is incredibly relaxed. It is inspiring to have Mo here. It

is brilliant. He's such a star and the atmosphere this year is going to

is brilliant. He's such a star and be even busier than it usually is

because of run. What is it about the Great North Run that makes it so

special? It was the first one I did, in 2006, and I had my second child.

I got into running and I came up here and did it in two hours

something, it was such hard work training for it and to get to the

end. This is my fifth one since. I've done marathons as well, but it

all started here on the Great North Run. It is the biggest event like

all started here on the Great North this in the world. The atmosphere is

incredible. Whether it will be today with this rain that's forecast, I

don't know. I had breakfast BBC weathermen and they think it

won't be too bad. It is dry at the moment and hopefully it will stay

this way? I know! It is wonderful, and the sense of achievement you get

after months of training and getting to the end. There's nothing like it.

Are you hoping for a fast finish again? I just try to beat myself.

I've got to beat my time from last year If I do that, I will be happy.

Have you managed to talk any other newsreaders? Last year they were

here, Sian and Susannah. Susannah is on Strictly. I know. This year I'm

on my own. We'll see you later. Thank you. Lot's more from Tina and

Colin. We are heading to the finish now in South Shields. Katherine

Merry and Denise Lewis are the other half. There are thousands of

different charities represented here at the Great North Run and 99 of

them have a marquee here at the charity village. From wul known

charities like Help for Heroes and Save the Children to small local

charities will like the Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter. All the runners

will come maybe for a massage, for tea, or even a chat. I'll be

chatting to some of the wonderful people that work for these

organisations and the runners who raise money for them. It is the

quiet before the storm here at the finish. There's only a few people

milling around here at the finish line. That's because all of the

runners are out on the course making their way here to South Shields. But

very shortly over 50,000 runners will be filing through the finish

line gantry. They'll be tired. They'll be exhausted, but sprinkled

on top of that tiredness will be a huge sense of dhooephment at having

finished the Great North Run. I will be be here poised to ask the

runners. So, the 2013 Great North Run, how was it for you? Here are

the timings for this morning. A few minutes ago the bus carrying

the elite athletes arrived. And there is the man himself,

the elite athletes arrived. And double-Olympic champion,

treble-world champion, GB's greatest ever distance runner, Mo Farah. Who

knows what in terms of his future track inspirations. He won two golds

in Moscow and there's been no let-up in his training. We caught up with

him last week in a high-altitude training camp in the Pyrenees. They

put together their plan for world domination. Every Championship he

wins, every gold medal he collects, it heaps more pressure on the

next... In terms of mileage people forget about it. I do over 100 miles

week in and week out. Average I do is 120. It is not like I have

suddenly become good. Albert is a great coach. He has made me believe

in myself. He was an athlete himself, so he knows what you can

do. My speed, I never did anything as fast as what I do in training

now. I'm doing a lot fast err stuff and more endurance. I've been

working on my strength. That's been the big difference. For me the big

race was in the Oregon race, where I ran 10,000 metres and ran 26. 46.

That was a big jump for me. Having that confidence to go to d ran

26.46. That was a big jump for me. Having that confidence to go to

degree u -- Da a gu. The Olympics was the big thing. It made my

breakthrough will. Winning two gold was the big thing. It made my

medals was amazing. It changes a lot, because everybody knows what

you are capable of. Once you win something, is people want to see you

and they think you can keep winning. I've got good confidence in the last

couple of years, and everybody else are thinking about you rather than

you thinking about them. It is a great thing to have. He's sprinting

for gold. He's running for greatness. Mo Farah wins it. His

fifth global title. This is world domination for Farrah. For my money

Mo Farah has become the greatest athlete in this country. It is great

to have Brendan and the guys saying great things about me. As an athlete

I want to be able to do what I do and enjoy it and keep winning and

keep getting on the today ium. Be able to do what I do and enjoy it

and keep winning and keep getting on the today ium. -- on the podium.

Mo's rivals today will be two of ep getting on the today ium. -- on the

podium. Mo's rivals today will be two of the greats - Haile

Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele. It promises to be an incredible head to

head. Women's race isn't to be outdone. Superstars Tirunesh Dibaba

and Meseret Defar are head to head. Ethiopians all. What is the magic

formula that makes them quite so good? We've been to Ethiopia to find

out a little bit more. Many years back, how can you believe

in what you are now? Imagine when I was eight years old in the

countryside. Nobody. I dreamed like big athletes when I run. I'm going

between the forest, maybe some days I'm going to a big stadium. Maybe I

win gold medals. I dream like that. Just everybody wants to run, because

they know many many great returners we have. Just everybody wants to

run, because they know many many great returners we have. So they --

many great runners we have. They want to be like them. Everybody

comes from a poor family. Because of that, Ethiopians is good to be run.

Running is special. In Ethiopia, because we achieved many results,

the Olympic and World Championships. Running here is like a culture. If

you ask me, how many Ethiopians are running here in this country? Not a

thousand. Maybe a million. A day without running is not a day.

TRANSLATION: Since since 50 years ago people have been interested in

running and are so emotional about athletics. Then we came along, a new

generation, which has captured the imagination of the people. It is an

inspiration of the generation. Haile Gebrselassie is like David Beckham

is in the UK. If they follow in the footsteps of

them, it is wonderful. I'm so proud. I feel happy, because I am lucky

woman for Ethiopia, because in Ethiopia too many women don't have

an opportunity to learn to run, to learn to do everything. In Ethiopia

women and men aren't the same level. God gave me this opportunity.

TRANSLATION: I'm happy with my successes and it puts me in a good

position, where I must achieve good results, so I can be a good role

model, and it keeps me on my toes. People in the western world don't

have the true image of our country confirm many years back drought, war

and a lot of problems. But now it is different. Here in Addis Ababa

especially you can see everywhere there's construction. This is the

other side of Ethiopia. We have to indicate more there's construction.

This is the other side of Ethiopia. We have to indicate more people --

This is the other side of Ethiopia. educate more people, more kids to

school. We can see a different Ethiopia. Winning the Olympics or

the World Championships and having luck, while all the world it is

presenting it is the main thing. If Ethiopia, if you didn't take a gold

medal, the silver is nothing. We run only for gold. When we win Olympics

and World Championships, the next day all the roads are runners are.

Are too many runners, are small childrening big women, with

everybody is running. This is where I am training every day, where I am

master. Why am I competing? Because I need to sweat. This treadmill goes

up to 25 kilometres per hour. The world record... We are checking what

will be the new generation and the old generation. It is a good for

comparison how far Ile from the new generation. I don't think this new

generation will challenge Hail election k this new generation will

challenge Hail election easily. -- will challenge Haile easily. I let's

hear the guys' thoughts. We are very excited and dry as well, thank

goodness. Brendan, it is the 32nd year of the Great North Run. This

the best field? Absolutely. We are really excited a. Three of the

greatest distance runners of all time. Two of them are arguably the

best, Hail election and Kenenisa. -- Haile and Kenenisa. It is fantastic

that Mo Farah is running And the women's race. We were really

excited. Paula, you are going to join us in the commentary box today

for the first time. What a race to begin with. And what an interesting

prospect for Mo making that transition that you made on to the

roads and the longest distances Absolutely. It is not his first half

marathon. I think the it will be his third. But it is definitely the most

competitive he's put himself into so far. Give That he is building off

the success he's had on the track and looking towards taking that

first step into the marathon, this is a good stepping stone St It is

not a given that you perform at the half marathon you are going to

perform at the marathon, but he's got the potential to go sub-60. I

don't know if he will do that today The wind will be behind him. What

will he be looking for, just a win? Given the conditions and the field

he is up against and the quality of his opponents, a win he will be very

happy with today. Brendan, how much persuading did he take to come and

do the Great North Run? He was going to do it last year but the Olympics

and having the twins got in the way. Many years ago when he wasn't so

good, he ran the mile race on the quayside. One day day things weren't

going great for him, in 2008, and he said, one day I will lead them over

that bridge, and I have held him to that. We haven't had a British

winner since 1985. Paula on the female size and Liz that. We haven't

had a British winner since 1985. Paula on the female size and Liz

manager Colgan -- Liz mck McColgan carried the mantel for many years.

manager Colgan -- Liz mck McColgan It is going to be a close one. I

think you have to watch Priscah Jeptoo too, who might just spring

herself in there. I think I will go slightly with Tirunesh Dibaba, who

has the cross-country more, and maybe more endurance in the 10,000

over the 5K. Brendan never makes a prediction when I ask. We look

forward to it. It promises to be a battle royal. The further back you

go, the less conventional it comes. This morning 20 penguins rode across

the bridge towards the start. This could well be the first ever

penguinathon. It is a bit nippy here but there's a group of people around

me used to dealing with the cold. Guys, you are all dressed as

penguins with, what is the this about. It is raising money for

Cancer Research. We cycled from Leeds to Newcastle today. We are

running the Great North Run and we are cycling back tomorrow. Aren't

you going to be tired? I hope. So we've got some ale laid on for us.

Whose idea was it to dress up as penguins? His. It started off in the

1990s as a fancy dress suit and we've kept it going from them. I'm

glad that all your friends have we've kept it going from them. I'm

joined you. I hope you raise a lot of money and that you have a good

time, guys. All the best. CHEERING I've been joined by a

couple of famous faces, Mel C and Jo Whiley. And you are on Radio 2? A

more mature audience. I've grown up now. Sporty Spice, this is well up

your street isn't it You would think, but it is my first half

marathon, so I'm nervous. We've got shots of you train tag at the

stadium. You are taking this quite seriously aren't you? In an event

like this you have to take it seriously. It is a huge undertaking.

I'm really excited to be here today. It is such a wonderful event. I've

heard so many stories about the support on the streets. Working in

the North East before, I know what they are like. It is an amazing

atmosphere. You are running for a serious cause. I'm running for

Shelter today, which is a charity that I've supported quite a lot over

the years. There's so many great charities out there it is hard to

pick who to run for. I'm running for Mencap. Mencap are someone I've

support. My sister has learning disabilities, they are a great

charity. Everyone has a cause they want to support. And running with

your daughter? I am. I've never run before, so it is a huge undertaking.

I bullied India. She graduated four days ago and now she's doing the

Great North Run. You've get a special training partner too. I'm

Susan, I'm a mum of four, and I started running about six months

ago. On Facebook people were looking for a running partner for Jo Whiley.

Whiley. We've both got four children. For both of us it is our

first half more than. And I have a stubborn streak, so I thought that

would help us to finish. My eldest son was diagnosed with Asperger's

syndrome. Running is a release, just to go out for half an hour with

headphones on and run. I'm running for a charity called Ambitious about

Autism. It is a good incentive to finish. We've been in touch on

Twitter to see how we are both going and encouraging each other. It is

good to have someone like that encouraging you and keeping you

going. I'm excited and nervous in equal part at the moment.

That's really nice, Jo. It is really good. I've been keeping in touch,

texting and tweeting. Weather both got really busy lives, so trying to

fit in training to do this. But it is good she's here today. We are

both nervous. Going through it together is fantastic. It is

important to have someone to encourage you. 30. 1 miles a long

way. Just the whole training thing. When you are on your own it is hard

to motivate yourself. If you have someone with you, it helps

enormously. Warm weather training, what about cold weather training

the, have you done any of that? I haven't done any. A week ago it was

sunny confirm today just thinking what to wear for start serious. I've

never worn so many clothes when I've run before. And you'll be stripping

off as get warmer and warmer. And Mel, you have a wager with Iwan

Thomas? We have a north-south bat billion. Billion. We both have a

ten-strong team of fund raisers, and we are seeing who can raise the most

money. Are northerners more Japan rows? We'll find out. Any targets in

terms of times? I'm an ex-athlete, I'm competitive. I did want to run

the two hour mark and I for a muscle in my calf two weeks ago. I've been

having some physio from an amazing Bupa guy called Simon. I'm hoping my

calf will hold up. With it being my first time, I want to enjoy it and

complete exit. Around two hours I will be happy with. To the both of

you, best Luck and look after your calf. Over

to Colin. I'm with Jenny and Adam. I feel I should be saying

congratulations but that's not the case at the moment is it. ? We were

due to get married yesterday. We had it booked in for then and we didn't

realised we had entered the run at the same time. The letter came

through and we were like, we didn't really know what to do. We didn't

through and we were like, we didn't think it would be a great thing to

do the day after our wedding day. It would have been an interesting

honeymoon. It what have been, but I don't think we would have been in

the right state. It would have been a different honeymoon. As a couple,

how much money do you think you will be able to raise? I don't know what

they are on actually. We've had some really amazing donations from family

and friends. A big thank you to them. They've been really kind.

Kind. We'll see what the total is when we've finished. I wish you all

the best not only for today but your married life. Thank you. Thank you.

From one ex-Olympic athletes to another, Denise Lewes in south

shields at the finish. She's with some of the charities the people are

raising money for today. I'm in the charity village with Maria. The

Percy Headley foundation is one of the North East's largest disability

charities. We work with children, young people and adults with

cerebral palsy and communication difficulties. How many years have

you been at the Great North Run? We've had a tent here for ten years

and we have 300 runners today coming back for TLC later on. You have some

goodies here. We've got sandwiches made from within the foundation. A

crisps, tea, coffee, juice. It keeps our runners coming back year after

year, because we really look after them What will the funds be used

for? To expand our facility, to we can help children, adults and

families the. It is important to help families as well. We can reach

out and help more people. You are doing a great job. Thank you. I'm

with the antiques road trip expert. Looking forward to it? Yes, why I

can barely wait. Have you done much training? I've done quite a bit of

training but I'm not ready for this. Who's the fittest out of all of you?

JP Maybe I've done a bit more running are, are I don't know. You

are running for a good cause. Can running are, are I don't know. You

you tell me about it? We are running for Sam's Charity, for still born

and neonatal death syndrome. It was brought to our awareness last year

and neonatal death syndrome. It was because of what happened to Charlie.

You've had an incredibly tough year. Can you tell us about your story?

Absolutely. Almost a year to the day we had a beautiful baby boy born

called Tommy at 30 weeks. Sadly he was still born. It was the saddest

day of my life. Having been supported by the charity, we had

great support spot. Every day in the UK 17 babies sadly don't make it and

they pass away. It is not really known... We are supporting today

mothers and dads, running for babies, with their names on our

backs. And behind me are the other rainers, making 17. It must help to

have so much support here? It is. It is more the love, the comfort, the

companionship, compassion we had as parents, we had a beautiful baby boy

and he isn't here. We run for him and raise money and hopefully for

muments and dads in future it lot do a great deal of good. And 17 is

symbolic? Yes, this year Prince George was born, but for many mums

and dads it is a year they won't forget for the wrong reasons are.

Seeing us with our babies on our chests who aren't here, but we are

running for them, and not to forget. You've raised an incredible amount

so far The Over £22,000, but we want more.

Justgiving.com/antiquesroadtrip. We are going to sweep up from behind.

I'm trying to avoid the truck that comes behind whooshing people up. My

training regime was based on carving up. I started five years ago and it

has done really well. With I'm pleased. Stop at the halfway point.

I will be there. Good luck to all of you.

CHEERING Good luck to everybody. The 55,000 masses are starting to

gather. 10. 40 the elite men's race starts. One man that's always easy

to pick out in the crowd is Robbie Savage. This is my first half more

than. Haven't done much train trag. I've got shin splints in my right

leg. I'm doing it for a great cause, Alzheimer's, lost my dad lost year

at 63. It is worth doing. Is that a charity you do a lot of work for?

Yes, it is a horrible disease. He got it at 58 and suffered for five

years. I know he will be there at the finishing line for me. You have

a bit of a reputation as a footballer. You have a number that's

appropriate, 666! How did you end up with that one? I don't know. It was

Ray Stub's old number. Pitiful it wasn't 606, as I do that on the

radio. I think it will be 999 when I finish. You must be looking forward

to getting out there with the crowds, with all the ambiance that

there is. Is it is amazing. I came up last night very late. But getting

on the bus today and seeing all the people. I usually get booed at

Newcastle after playing at St James's Park, but parents very nice.

Have you got somebody to run alongside you, somebody to pace you

a bit? I know it is your first half marathon. The pacing thing isn't

easy. They've given me a chaperone, which is weird. I feel sorry for

him. I've got Mark and Dave have itty to run alongside. Chaperone,

which is weird. I feel sorry for him. I've got Mark and Dave have

itty to run alongside. -- Mark and Dave Vitt tirks e to run alongside.

I'm looking forward to it -- day Vittie. Good luck.Thank you

Jonathan. A special day for you running for your dad. The my mum

will be watching and she'll be in tears now, but it is for my dad and

it is for a good cause, Alzheimer's. Over to my mate Colin. Kelly, this

is your very first Great North Run. Tell us the about your journey to

get here. It is quite an impressionive story. This time six

years ago I was sitting watching the Great North Run from my hospital

bed. I was in the intensive care unite. I had quite a crazy few weeks

bed. I was in the intensive care before that.Ive had gone from a

period of big celebration, I had just got engaged to my fiance, I

signed is up to do a PhD. Life was great and 24 hours later I was on a

life-support machine Minister, I was on a ventilator, given the last

rites and told that the next 24 hours were critical. All the plans

you that you make had been thrown away. In the next few weeks it was

up and down for me, journey of starting to get better. Sometimes I

slip back a bit. I'm starting to turn a corner but to be honest I was

probably waiting for the pain to end. I had enough. The nurse wheeled

out this old telly and put on the Great North Run. I watched all these

crazy people running all this distance and I listened to all the

inspirational stories that people were talking about. It kind of, it

really inspired me, to be honest. I thought if these people can do this,

maybe I can do three steps and get out of the bed and sit in the chair.

Those three steps were probably the hardest thing I had ever done, but I

did at this time and felt brilliant. Once you do something, is you feel

like you want to do more. And it is impressive that you made it here

today. I guess there's going to be lots of people supporting you, so we

would like to wish you all the best, and well done LOW Lovely. Thank you.

I'm with Matt Lewis, you are from Harry Potter. Great to see you. Have

you done a half marathon before? I've never done anything like this

before. Tell me you've done some training? Yes, I've done some

training. Barry has done plenty of marathons before. Good advice from

him. How is he doing? Great. He's raising money for the laoepds

foundation. I told him to try not to die and everything sells a bonus.

How did you get involved with the charity? I've been a Leeds Rhinos

fan for many years, back to when Barry was still playing. Through the

club I've got introduced to this charity. They asked if I would

become Vice-President for it. Seeing the work they do first hand. They do

so much stuff in the community around Leeds in sport. Young people

and people from all ages involved in it. Rugby league on a Tuesday night.

To raise as much money as possible. A fantastic cause. Good luck to both

of you. Thank you. I will need it. Not long now before the wheelchair

race. Are it is a race which is also I think theed with sadness, as one

of the country's most successful wheelchair athletes passed away

recently. He won the London Marathon twice and was the first man to

complete the Great North Run in under the an hour. A great loss.

Alongside me is David Weir. You knew Chris very well didn't you? Gres,

Chris was a great role model. When I started at eight years old I always

finished the mini marathon and waited to see Chris, who was a hero

of mine. He was a legend until he went. And racing this race today is

something he won four times too, I guess he will be in your mind?

Definitely. I went to the funeral. It was a very sad day. He was just a

fantastic guy and a good coach as well. Coming on to your year, not

just today's race. I think in many ways it hasn't been the easiest post

all of those kind of, the high of London? No, but it's just been a

bit-part season. I knew that would happen this year. It was planned to

spend some time with the family and do some racing and concentrate for

next year. That's why I'm racing later in the season. I'm in the

winter programme already, just to be fit for the marathon next year and

Boston marathon and Commonwealth Games. We saw in Lyon in the

Championships Marcel going very well indeed. He was keen to see you back

on the track. Is Rio in your plans? You will have to read my book in

October, that will give you an idea. We'll see after the Commonwealth and

I will make my decision. In terms of today up against Josh. He won the

last two, you won the two before that. How do you see it going?

Tricky, because the ground's wet. A bit greasy of the dry weather. It

should be fast if we have this tailwind all the way. David against

Josh, Mo Farah, Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar, an incredible day's

racing a. One of the places you never miss is

to run the Great North Run. I win so many times, I like the country,

people are very likely people and they like sports and athletics had.

I'm pleased to come there during the race with the British people.

Everybody comes out on Sunday and comes out from their house and

everybody's watching. Fantastic atmosphere on the course. The crowd

get behind but. It account be very fast. We like fast races. One of the

best race in this the country for support. The streets are full. It is

not just elite athletes. It is people running for charities.

There's so many nning for charities. There's so many people running.

# This half marathon is a great opportunity and the people's

(Inaudible) It is two generations. My generations, Kenenisa's

generation and now Mo Farah. It will be great to have that title, for

sure, the Great North Run is a big race. The excitement, the

anticipation is really building here on the central motorway in

Newcastle. The half marathon distance 13.1 miles stands between

these people and finishing what was the greatest half marathon in the

world. All sorts of training has been going on. People watching at

home, watching their loved ones. And we've got great elite race as

including the wheelchair. It is the 3 33rd Bupa Great North Run. It is a

good morning to Paul Dickenson. Good morning Jonathan. Good morning

everybody. Our wheelchair racers are railroad. The weather's cleared up a

bit. It is quite windy. That may well have an effect on the overall

result. Jade Jones developing well as a

senior three. Next to jade is the familiar smile face of Shelly Woods.

A Great North Run champion four times and a glittering career. A

Paralympic silver medallist on the track. Jonathan has already said it

is a real head to head by two men who've won the Great North Run three

times altogether. Josh Cassidy, a strong Canadian. Competed in the

World Championships over 10,000 metres. Earlier this year came

fourth in the 10,000 metres. And look at the record of David Weir,

six times the Paralympic gold medallist on the track and on the

road. And Bupa Great North Run champion a few years ago. He's won

it three times in total. Not just about them. There's some very good

athletes too. There are 14 elite athletes on the start line. But all

eyes will be on Josh Cassidy and David Weir. It could well under up

being a tactical race. Principally because of the conditions can. I

don't think we are going to see too many many course records. The race

gets under way and the Bupa Great North Run 2013 is under way wharf.

Immediately Cassidy on the right-hand side in the red and white

of Canada, and David Weir of Great Britain, locked together. Together.

David Weir will not take his eyes off the wheelchair of Josh Cassidy.

For the full 13. 1 miles. I can tell you at the seafront in South

Shields, despite the fact the wind is blowing strongly, the atmosphere

as always is absolutely wonderful. The whole world of Paralympic sport

would be eager to see him win again. Every time he went out on to the

track, 80,000 people were cheering madly for him. An early leader, but

the two principals, Cassidy and Weir behind him. We expect to see them

come on to the seafront in South Shields to go for the major medal

as. Could it be Weir for the fourth time or maybe Josh Cassidy for the

fourth time as well? The wheelchair race is under way. We'll keep you

updated with that through the morning. Next it is the women's

race. Let's look at the ones to watch.

Last year's Great North Run champion Tirunesh Dibaba is arguably the

world's greatest female distance runner. A devastating turn of speed

at the finish of the race has won her three Olympic titles, five world

Championships and five crorld cross-country titles. Only woman who

has come close to matching Tirunesh Dibaba is fellow Ethiopian differ

differ differ. Two times the Olympic and two times world champion. Last

year differ differ beat Dibaba in her own game to win the 5,000 metre

crown. This create rivalry is set to move on to to wards. Differ differ

differ versus o move on to to wards. Differ differ differ versus Tirunesh

differ versus o move on to to wards. Dibaba -- Meseret Defar versus

Tirunesh Dibaba. A chilly, damp, breezy but exciting day on the start

line. The women's the first to go. We talked a lot about the two

Ethiopians, but you can't rule out Kenya. Their representative today is

Priscah Jeptoo. Jeptoo. She won the London Marathon this year. She will

not be too far away from the two big stars.

You heard the long list of world Olympic track cross-country titles

shared between Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba. Two of the greatest

distance runners the world has ever seen. They have had strong rivalry.

This is the first time we've seen them go head to head on the roads.

An intriguing half har thon distance. First time we've seen them

go head to head on the roads. An intriguing half har thon distance.

-- half marathon distance. Distance. Weather conditions, chilly and wet.

But the wind may be with them, so we could see fast times.

Away they go. The women's Great North Run under way in 2013. What a

race we have in prospect. Yesterday we had the Great City Games.

Charlene Thomas at the front was taking part in the elite women's

mile. She's gone immediately to the front. She is looking at her watch.

I think Charlene has been asked maybe to run a few early miles to

get the race going. Alongside me, Brendan foster and Paula Radcliffe.

Paula, this mouth watering race? Yep, a very good race in store and I

think a lot of Ethiopian pride at stake as well between Meseret Defar

and Tirunesh Dibaba. Jeptoo would like to get in the middle of that

mix as well. I think Dibaba is the one who has asked for the fasters

pace. She wanted something around 31 minutes through 10 K, which would

put her in a sub-66 territory, 65 minutes something. Charlene Thomas

looks as though she's gone out on that pace. To begin with nobody

seemed keen to follow her, but now Dibaba seems keen to get this moving

the. A very good pace. Tirunesh Dibaba has been asking if anybody is

going to help her run a fast time. We think it is a competitive race.

She seems to think it could be a fast race. Charlene Thomas not

experienced at running this distance. And she will find this

pace slow for her. Jelena Prokopcuka is also in that company.

The second mile can be slower and the third one picks up again.

Interestingly, how many times do we talk about the idea of setting a

pace on the track, both Dibaba and Defar don't always go with the pace

that they ask for. But Dibaba this morning seems like they is up for

this. Jelena Prokopcuka and Tirunesh Dibaba follow very closely Charlene

Thomas, who's been asked to at least get this thing going quickly through

the first two or three miles. Defar moving up the kerbside of that

following crew. Defar not keen to go with a super-fast pace here today. I

think she was more looking for her race. But Dibaba is behind her and

Jelena Prokopcuka is the two-times winner of the New York marathon.

She's coming back after having a son-in-law 2009 and trying to race

herself back into good shape. Let's not get carried away. We've

got 12-and-a-half miles of great racing to come. Over the years,

including the young lady sitting is next to me, there've been great

winners with, including Dibaba last next to me, there've been great

year. I think the real questions are about where this race, or how this

race sets the two of them up for the next part of their career. They have

had these incredible track careers so far, and I'm sure they won't be

putting an end to that any time soon. There is always the prospect,

Tirunesh Dibaba. The first mile is very quick indeed. David Weir ahead

of his Canadian rival, Josh Cassidy. Weir looking very comfortable

indeed. I was speaking to his coach a couple of weeks ago, Jenny Archer,

he said after a long rest after the Paralympics will, he has renewed

zest. There's certainly a lot of speed there for David. So much so

that he won the pre-Great North Run race, which is one of the great

annual events for wheelchair race, the Tyne Tunnel Race, where there's

a downhill stretch, where they can reach anything up to 45 miles per

hour. He won that comfortably yesterday. On Friday evening rather.

Covered the course in 4. 4.225. Everybody is trying to stay warm.

And there would have been some rum animaling through wardrobes last

night and this morning, do you mind if I borrow your top? That's right,

Steve. I've loaned some of my great track suit tops to my daughter, and

off done the same to your son. Like Brendan, my kids are out there this

morning. There was a bit of rummaging around. Mind you, he does

that all the time. They are keeping warm, this is great. They have to

gather at the start a long time in advance. We set off at 7. 15am. Lots

of people are making their way to the start line. Looking up to the

skies and hoping the rain would hold off. It is forecast to be heavier

rain later. The predictions were they would go fast at the beginning.

It is a good pace. It explains why Charlene is looking around her and

looking at her watch so much. She's been asked to go to five minute

miles for the first two miles and people weren't that keen to go with

it. Maybe the thinking behind it would have been that Dibaba asking

for that would make someone else to go for that and string the race. It

has detached the leading four contenders from the rest rest of the

field at this early stage. Here we come through the underpass heading

for the Tyne bridge on this damp, wet morning Mo. I would imagine

there'll be a few peop waiting for the early runners to come on to the

Tyne Bridge. There's the famous sight, pictures tomorrow morning

will show the runners, there's not many spectator there

Here is the first of them. Charlene Thomas doing a bit of a job here.

Jelena Prokopcuka, the New York marathon winner in second place,

then Tirunesh Dibaba. She's asked for some pace. Right behind her, her

big rival Meseret Defar. And the other athlete, Priscah Jeptoo. She

is neatly settling in behind them. Charlene Thomas will be coming up

soon be, she's done a good job. The great Tirunesh Dibaba, you can sense

from here, even from this remote camera, she wants to get the running

going. She wants to get in amongst it. She wants a fast one. She won

the race last year. That with a a fast sprint finish. We always think

Tirunesh Dibaba is unbeatable in finishes but this year she's been

beaten recently in Zurich by Meseret Defar. As soon as Tirunesh Dibaba

moved through, she slips past the other athletes. Tirunesh Dibaba

wants to run quickly. The only reason I can think for that is she

thinks she is stronger than Defar and is nervous about her sprint

finish. The two great Ethiopian athletes run together across the

Tyne Bridge. Charlene Thomas looking athletes run together across the

over h shoulder. It takes 10-15 seconds to drive across the Tyne

Bridge Bristol. It is longer when you are running it. When they come

off the bridge they'll be almost at two miles. A climb up into Gateshead

and they'll turn left for the first time. For the first time perhaps

really get this stiff breeze behind them. You can see how windy it is

from the trees. That will be pretty much we think with them most of the

way. That looks tough for the wheelchairs. Ditch to spot with the

equipment they've got, but punctures are always a problem. It looks as

though David Weir is clear. They've been going for a little over 14

minutes now. No sign of Josh been going for a little over 14

Cassidy. Cassidy. I'm trying to see if we can see the group behind. Josh

Cassidy wearing a similar strip to David Weir. David Weir found that

part of the course very hard indeed, physically taxing, but now getting

back into his stride. So far at least 100m behind, the chasing

group, if not more. Back at the start, another 15 or 16 minutes

before the mass race and the elite men get under way. The wheelchair

athletes and elite women have the roads clear to themselves. And then

tens of thousands of others will follow. Look at all the runners who

think they have done this before. Now they are panicking about getting

to their start, but it will all happen like clockwork and they'll be

in position ready to go in appen like clockwork and they'll be in

position ready to go in 15 is -- 15 minutes' time. Charlene leaves

Meseret Defar with a did it bit of a gap. They went through two miles.

We'll try and get a time. The one on the computer isn't right. It says 9

minutes, which would be a world record. Are 10. 10. 0. 29. I think

it is three three miles well get are going at. Comfortable so far.

Defar having a taster at the front. are going at. Comfortable so far.

She looks as though she was really settling into a nice rhythm and

She looks as though she was really nice position.

She looks as though she was really Thomas stepped to the side. Now we

settle into looking at each other, seeing

it on, and probably settling in around this pace

it on, and probably settling in into the six-mile

it on, and probably settling in wind more at

it on, and probably settling in They are on the Felling bypass,

which will lead them down to Gateshead Stadium in half a mile.

Defar ran a pretty good half marathon in in the year in in New

Orleans. The same event that Mo Farah was at. The four big names

gathered together for time. Settling down in the first

two-and-a-half, two and three quarter miles.

Many of you watching at home this morning are doing so because you

know someone is running. I can't guarantee you will see them but you

can send your good luck antee you will see them but you can send your

can send your good luck antee you good luck mentals to -- send your

good luck messages to #greatnorthrun to.

Let us inspire you. Inspire you to get your trainers on, to get your

heart racing. Get inspired. Let us inspire you to prove people wrong,

to push as hard as you can. And keep coming back for more. We want to

inspire all generations. And we mean all generations We want to inspire

you. We want you to get inspired. A couple of people here have had not

a bad summer. Christine Ohuruogu and A couple of people here have had not

Graeme Swann. Graeme, do you do much running? I don't do a great deal,

and not as far as these guys are running today. The reason I'm

talking to Christine and Graeme is they are the official starters for

the race. Quite an honour? It really. I was honoured to be asked

to come down this morning and start the race. To be added to the list is

quite special. You know a bit about the race. To be added to the list is

the atmosphere of the Great North Run, having done the great City

Games a few times. It is such a good vibe. People are still pouring in to

the start line. It is a testament to the event that so many people turn

up the. The weather's not great, but people don't care and they are

willing to come and have a great time. It is great to be part of

that. It is freezing. Trust me. Graeme, a much tighter Ashes series

than perhaps people expected? Is well, certainly than the media

expected. I think as players we knew Australia were always a tough team

to beat and always give you a great game. We were expecting a tough

series and that's what we got in the end. I'm proud of what we achieve

t's what we got in the end. I'm proud of what we achieve childhood.

-- what we achieved. What was the wantser like? It helped with

Warner's banter with Joe Root. It never crossed the line. It was

always good natured. The do you walk and do you not walk stuff was

interesting. Everything gets blown out of proportion. You even get

reported what you eat for breakfast. It did get blown out portion but it

adds to the spectacle. Christine, we saw the race yesterday from Moscow,

do you watch it -- do you watch that saw the race yesterday from Moscow,

and think he will not get there? I am not a fan of watching my races

back and have only seen that once and I probably will not watch it

this time because it is too close. I watch it and I cannot believe how

tight it was and you almost think you were not going to make it.

Congratulations to both of you for a brilliant summer and enjoy the your

start-up's duties. Give high-fives to everybody for half an hour! Back

to the race now and the commentary team.

Good luck to Graeme Swann and Christine Ohuruogu. The Great City

Games yesterday and Christine was taking part, great fun on the

quayside, but all the action is on the roads today. The fig -- the big

three names are starting to pull away now. It is a pretty steady

pace. You would assume they would pick up from that now. Not

superfast, not the pace rumoured for Tirunesh Dibaba, but it is a decent

enough pace. 66, 67 minutes as possible, Paula. Definitely. In the

early stages, with that kind of pace. We will see this pick-up in

the last couple of miles as they settle into racing on each other --

racing each other. That is where we see the faster miles, between six

and seven miles, seven and eight downhill and very and the last mile

down the seafront if the wind stays as it is right now, that should be

in their favour. Two Olympic Gold medallists and an Olympic silver

medallist. And look at Meseret Defar glancing across. You hear about this

great rivalry between Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba, apparently they

great rivalry between Meseret Defar will not fly together two races,

they do not spend time together all run together. But we have seen them

chatting together here on the start line, they have had breakfast

together this morning. So maybe the rivalry is diminishing a little. But

in the race, there is certainly no diminishing. That is Elena

Prokopchuk. The pace is steady, not spectacular. The talent is

spectacular. We know that David Weir is leading

the man 's wheelchair race, that is the leader of the women, 's. Four

times the champion on the Great North Run course, Shelly Woods.

Taking a close look behind her. I do not know if that is one of her

rivals. It might be one of the men. We understand that Josh Cassidy has

pulled out. The Canadian may have a mechanical problem. But Shelly Woods

is leading the women at the moment. If you look at the some -- if you

look at some of the moves being made, a lot happening in the

wheelchair race. The crowd is getting ready to start the mass race

and three of the well's Best female athletes are testing each other,

watching each other, nobody doing anything yet. The only indication to

me was that Tirunesh Dibaba, the athlete who has won more World

Championship Gold medals than any other athlete in history, she is the

only athlete unbeaten in her revenge. 10,000 metres, she has

never lost. This is a new career, this is a stepping stone. She wants

to move to the marathon. She talks about the history of the marathon in

Ethiopia, the culture of running in Ethiopia, over 50 years ago. They

know about it and the marathon is the magic event. These two best

10,000 metre runners in the world, best 5,000 metre runners, two great

competitors are embarking on a journey of a half marathon and

eventually, certainly for Tirunesh Dibaba, it will be the marathon,

maybe even London next year. The winner of London this year, Priscah

Jeptoo, we should mention her. It is right focus is on Tirunesh Dibaba

and Meseret Defar, but Priscah Jeptoo is in great shape. The last

half marathon was in Bogota. She won by 2.5 minutes. That is a good

performance at that sort of altar chewed. That was in July. --

altitude. She is in good shape, she has kept her performance from

London. Olympic silver medallist, so of course we will talk about

Tirunesh Dibaba and Meseret Defar, but Priscah Jeptoo has the

experience and she knows these roads and she will watch these two her

experience and she knows these roads time and see what happens. It is

great to run against two of the greatest distance runner -- runners

of all time. There is a Japanese athlete further down the field. And

there is a strong male contingent. But the Japanese runner doing well

in sixth place. The fourth mile. Five minutes macro

23. -- 5:23. The conditions are difficult, we drove down. This is

just beyond the roundabout. It is undulating for the next mile and

they will have the wind with them after that. It is steady, Paula.

That is good, given the quality of these three and it undoubtably

should pick up in the latter stages. The wind might be behind you and it

might not be in front of you too much, but a lot of side wins. And it

makes it feel colder so even though the temperature is about 12, 13

degrees, it probably feels about four or five. Tirunesh Dibaba and

Meseret Defar do not like it too cold. We will see that Digg -- we

will see that difference in the man's race as well, Haile

Gebrselassie will not be happy if it is too cold.

All the excitement is building at the start. And it should be. This is

the most outstanding line-up of talent we have seen. The reigning

world champion Mo Farah, dominant on the track, can he do it on the

roads? Up against him are two of the all-time greats. The greatest ever,

Haile Gebrselassie, who has already made that transition after winning

six Olympic and world track champions -- championships between

1993 and 2,000. He moved onto the roads in 2004, and he won this event

in 2010. Also broke the world record for the marathon. And the last

member of this trio, Kenenisa Bekele. Five world track titles, 11

world cross-country titles, but despite his distance pedigree, this

will be the first half marathon of his career.

Perhaps the most eagerly awaited and anticipated half marathon maybe

there has ever been with those three great names. And a couple of

others. From Australia, Birmingham competed well yesterday and gave

some of the others a run for their money in the elite mile and did very

well, a surprise winner in that race. Roaming right in there. A warm

up for today's race. -- burning them right in there. A new Australian

record. MEUCCI -- Meucci Is well-known to Mo Farah. A personal

best for him in the half marathon. I gave out some of the statistics for

Kenenisa Bekele and it still does not do justice for the stature in

which he is held in world distance running. Not a great year for him so

far but he will be looking to maybe get one over on the old master,

Haile Gebrselassie, and you saw him in the clips before. He said, a new

generation, but they will still have to work hard to beat the old man!

And this is the start of a new section in the career of Mo Farah. A

massive welcome onto the start line for the first time in the Great

North Run. Marathon is back in next year. And who knows? In

championships to come, I am sure we will see him on the track. It has

been a phenomenal two years for Mo Farah, can he rounded off with a big

win in the Great North Run? -- round it off. Christine Ohuruogu is

win in the Great North Run? -- round sometimes late to the finish line,

but she was not slow getting them off on the start line! Graeme Swann

told his mother he was going to the north-east to start the Great North

Run and she said, I bet you do not finish! That is nice! Every year,

tens of thousands come. Just a few miles round the corner, a number of

clubs are represented. You can see Jarrow already. They come from all

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

perhaps the world 's greatest half marathon. We have had sunny days but

that does not matter when you are taking part. The weather is always a

bit of a sideshow. The challenge and the atmosphere is what brings people

to this. And the sense of achievement they will all have and I

think the vast majority will have when they get to the other end in

one hour, two hours, three hours, who knows! All with personal stories

and perhaps personal challenges in their training, preparation, just to

get to the start line today. Careful with those hands, we need them! We

need those against Australia! Celebrities are big part of the

day, it Charity is a massive part of the day. -- charities. A big

sporting occasions where the world's elite mix with those who are perhaps

doing it for the first time. Watch some of the names going through

following from Mo Farah and Haile some of the names going through

Gebrselassie and Birmingham. A some of the names going through

couple of other names you may represent. A good representation

from Japan. These pictures will appear all around the world.

Stretching all the way back up the central motorway. The town on the

right-hand side. Absolutely incredible. And a fantastic

operation already underway. The trucks take their gear down before

the elite races start. On a day like today, the clothing gets discarded

and is quickly tidied up. A lot of it will end up sent to various

charities. And you come back in three or four hours and will not

even know they have been here. It will take a while for most of

them to cross that stop lying but that is a good thing for some of

those towards the back -- that start line. And the excitement takes over

and the adrenaline kicks in and there is a race to the Tyne Bridge

and they settle down. The elite race is no different, they need a couple

of hundred metres to get into the race. And Mo Farah and Haile

Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele already at the front. Early stages

but I am not sure we will see too much happening, no sense of anybody

asking for a pace to be set, no sense of any targets timewise, a lot

of pride at stake though. And certainly for Mo Farah, a taster of

what is to come in the following years.

Brendan, you said right at the beginning of the programme, for so

many years, we have talked about the Kenyans. All of the greats. But to

have more father, a British athlete in that exalted company. -- Mo

Farah. We never thought we would see a British athlete ever do what

O'Farrell has -- Mo Farah has done. You can see all the surplus clothing

being discarded. Graeme Swann is doing well. He has had a great

season and is doing a great job. He will get a bit tired, in about 30

minutes, he will be still be doing the same thing. But there has been a

great response from the crowd. Here is the women's race. And the

greatest female has study -- greatest female athlete in history.

Tirunesh Dibaba. She is been followed by her compatriot Meseret

Defar. That was a very quick mildly. Just outside of five minutes. They

were already moving at a very quick pace, but they have decided to

increase it. It is interesting, it seems like Dibaba wants to make this

a fast one. She has got such a lot of power at the finish. Her strategy

must be that she is stronger than the others. I think she knows that

she is fast, but she also knows that Defar can be quicker. Kenenisa has

decided to put his day had -- to put his head down. I would have expected

Gebrselassie to have made the his head down. I would have expected

at the start. I think Kenenisa is the unknown quantity. We are not

sure what shape he is in because we have not seen him race for a little

while. Gebrselassie has been running on the roads during the summer. You

would have thought that Kenenisa might have sat back for a little

bit. But it is fairly early stages. They will continue to cross the

start line for about 20 minutes. We have been going on about the

weather. They have had the weather thrown at them over the last couple

of days. warned about it. The Bean has held

off so far, thank goodness. -- the rain. The temperature is about 12

degrees, and it might warm up a bit in the afternoon. If the wind is

behind then, that will be pretty good. Mo Farah thought it would be

Haile Gebrselassie food to get on. He is running this for experience.

Can he get practice at picking up the bottles and drinking? He said

that was one of the things that he struggled with when he ran in the

London Marathon earlier this year. He will have to get on top of his

fuelling strategy. It is something that Gebrselassie struggled with in

the first part of his career. He could not get that quite right. It

took a little bit of time to could not get that quite right. It

that right. Haile Gebrselassie said to me the other day, 40 years of

age, I will not be the peacemaker. But he is a fears competitor. --

fierce competitor. We also know how competitive Mo Farah is. They have

got titles and talent. Three Olympic champions running together across

the Tyne Bridge. I never thought I would see that. They are moving

pretty nicely. What a delight for us to see the study here today. And for

the crowds to see Mo Farah. Two miles completed in the men's race.

The second five Kate was quicker than the first five K. Full stop

still a pretty good time. The pace is starting to pick up. That is a

good platform to start from. it will be interesting to see if

that is the case? If you are from these parts, you will know where we

are. Coming into Jarrow. Dibaba, this is a fast section. It

looks as if Dibaba is pushing things on. This is Cristal -- Cristal

Dauney. I am pretty sure the wind is on their backs at the moment. 400

metres to go now for David Weir to become our first winner this year of

the paper Great North Run. Very disappointing that he lost. Josh

Cassidy early on. Mechanical problems for the Canadian. But no

doubt about the winner here. For times Paralympic champion in London

last year. David Weir, such a tough competitor. Interesting to hear him

sounding cagey about his prospects of competing in Rio de Janeiro. I am

sure he will, I hope he will. But he has won on Tyneside once again. The

fourth time. The first of our great champions taking a win there. It is

warming up in this women's race here. They have just run a 4.42

mile, possibly the quickest ever. In here. They have just run a 4.42

the women's race in the Great North Run. We are not letting up. Back

with the men. Gateshead Stadium looking resplendent. That was a

great sprint finish at the European looking resplendent. That was a

games there. These three athletes are running

past Gateshead Stadium, it warms my heart to see this. The three of the

greatest. Mo Farah is writing his record books, Haile Gebrselassie, he

is probably finished writing the record books, and the question is

whether Kenenisa Bekele can do on the road is what he has done on the

track? Mo Farah says he has enjoyed being with them, they know

respecting hugely. All great athletes. Haile Gebrselassie,

possibly his best days are behind him. But what an athlete.

Just approaching females for the men. They are the split times.

Reasonably quick. Possibly to be expected in the men. Again, that

will speed up undoubtedly. Most of expected in the men. Again, that

the Japanese athletes a fair way back already. The three big names

are already clear and Thomas Birmingham is about 40 metres

behind. Just noticing that Haile

Gebrselassie did take his own bottle. The women's race is really

picking up. They went through the seven mile in 4.42 and I think the

eighth mile will be even quicker. Yes, this is the section, they have

come through the Lindisfarne roundabout. After that, a little bit

of a climb. We do not know about their intuitions. Priscah Jeptoo has

the experience, she knows what she is doing. It is an opportunity to

test out your competitors. Absolutely, the little rise and the

roundabout breaks up the with a little bit. -- rhythm. You can see

the difference in their running styles. Priscah Jeptoo is a classic

style for a marathon runner. These guys are in a totally different

grace. For them, it is about getting out, raising the millions for

charity, achieving their own personal targets as well. We are

told that about 17,000 have so far crossed the line. That was a hard

one. It is a great day for a lot of the athletes. I was chatting to

quite a few yesterday, the splinters and the rest to come forward the

great city games. -- who come for. They all know about the great North

run. The masses crossing the start line. 17,000 already on their way.

It is a cool day, a bit damp, a bit windy. Not overall fantastic

conditions for the first time. You have to try and do the damage at

this point in the race. Now, if Priscah Jeptoo wants to win this

race, she will have to try and take it now. The London Marathon winner

this year. Here she is on the roads of South Shields. She looks to be

comfortable at every move. At times, the great Tirunesh Dibaba is trying

to get away for them, but she has not been able to do that. -- from

them. You can see Priscah Jeptoo is very conscious that Dibaba and Defar

is behind her. And there we have the men, Haile Gebrselassie. Mo Farah is

in second place. Behind him is Kenenisa Bekele. But Mo Farah looks

serious and with intent and he thinks, if you are going to beat me

today, Haile, you are going to have to run hard. The roundabout is one

of the good vantage points for spectators. A number of charities

set up. A significant part of the race in the women 's, we are seeing

the hills and the inclines. And you can see that Jeptoo has used the

second as she goes through six miles in 46:03, well under the 67 minute

pace. And Jeptoo has put her foot down and this is the first

significant change. Defar trying to hang on but Dibaba is struggling.

Daylight is opening up and more than Dibaba would want so she is

struggling. Defar locking back to check where she is because she would

have expected her to be covering it and she is moving up closer to know

Jeptoo knows she has not got rid of her yet. Defar was almost acting as

a bridge to Jeptoo look -- to Jeptoo, looked around, realised her

team-mate struggling and closed the gap on Jeptoo. She was almost trying

to drag Dibaba with her. She is waving to her and she is saying,

come on, this is where it is happening! She did accept that. For

Jeptoo, a very experienced international athlete. You do not

win the London Marathon by athlete. She decided not to let Defar

dominate and for the first time in a long time, we are seeing Tirunesh

Dibaba under pressure in a race. She won the race, doubly last year and

convincingly through 15 kilometres. And you now know the intent of

convincingly through 15 kilometres. Priscah Jeptoo, to win it from this

far out. To break Meseret Defar who recently beat Tirunesh Dibaba at

5,000 metres. A world champion at 5,000 metres, and Olympic champion

and 5,000 metres, and she is coming under pressure. Brendan, you talked

about 5,000 metres and they just ran 15:03 on an undulating part of the

course. I cannot remember how many women run that this year, what was

the World Championship qualifying time? 50:18. It is downhill with the

wind behind you but it is very fast. And they have had that poll most of

the time. It is doing damage and starting to do damage to Defar and

gaps are opening up. She takes a short tangent around the roundabout

and closes it a bit but Jeptoo is turning the screw and it will start

doing major damage. She is trying to win it from here, a long way out. I

cried too for the first time under pressure but still has the composure

to cut through round the roundabout which tells me she is still in good

shape mentally, but this is a brave which tells me she is still in good

attempt I Priscah Jeptoo to take on two of the greatest and try and beat

them. And as we say that, three of the greatest in the man's race.

Breaking up in the women's race at the many yet to reach that stage and

these three are very much together, running a steady pace. It is

significant. It is significant it was at the six mile stage where they

were turning with the wind, that section may be helping them. The men

are happy to keep this solid at steady pace going. Back to the

women. The gaps are now growing. steady pace going. Back to the

Dibaba a long way behind Defar and Defar not able to stay with Jeptoo.

I was talking about that race she ran at all to shoot and that is a

significant performance at 8,000 feet. -- all to Jude. Dibaba and

occurred to have been preparing for track season. -- altitude. I would

just raked off. The Red Arrows. -- I will just write off. We wanted to

see them at the start but we could not because of weather conditions,

but great to see them flying over not because of weather conditions,

the Tyne Bridge. Impressive as ever. And as precise

as ever. The Red Arrows as much a fixture of the Great North Run as

the image of thousands of people crossing the Tyne Bridge.

And right on cue, Shelly Woods wins the women's wheelchair race yet

again. Five times the winner of this race now. And surely -- and, surely,

it will not be long before she emulates Taney Grey Thompson in this

race. -- Tanni. Jeptoo is not letting up, 50

minutes: 30 seconds. Through ten miles. She is moving all right but

has seen the race go away from her. Paula, when you were running 65:

40, the last couple of miles were tough. Is there any chance Jeptoo

has overcooked this? There is always that chance. I think she has the

experience from the many marathons and half marathons she has run to

know that and I think she will have paced it well. She is over the worst

now and she cannot coast now but there is no major climb. She has to

be careful and go down the steep job onto the South Shields front not to

do too much damage to have quads because that can hurt. -- to her

quads. The confidence from knowing she has broken Dibaba and Defar will

give her extra impetus and energy. She has been aggressive since the

halfway point but for the first time, that was an anxious look at

the corner. Looking over her shoulder to see how big the gap is.

And it looks as though this could he a significant lead. Priscah Jeptoo,

the London Marathon winner, the a significant lead. Priscah Jeptoo,

fastest half marathon runner of these three, and we have talked

about the other two all of the time being the stars, which they are on

the track and intends to be on the road, but... And we see the Red

Arrows over the rivers -- over the River Tyne. They are going to cross

the Tyne Bridge. And that is a variation on the theme. They are

flying across Gateshead. The way back towards the airport before

another show this afternoon. Delighted to see the Red Arrows

flying on a day that was supposed to be troublesome. And these guys are

celebrating. The Tyne Bridge is filling up and these are the shots

from various points at the Tyne Bridge. We have had the Red Arrows

many times before but not sideways! That is the Red Arrows entering into

the spirit of the thing. Interesting races ahead but the main stars of

the show are crossing the Tyne Bridge. Haile Gebrselassie now been

joined by Mo Farah, a few inches behind is Kenenisa Bekele. And he

looks to be under pressure. Haile knows there is a gap and that will

make him want to be so competitive, very conscious of Mo Farah this

year, who has been the star of the show. Kenenisa Bekele used to be the

star of the show and Haile still wants to be, so there are two

races. Kenenisa Bekele struggled for a couple of years coming back from

injury and today after an exuberant start from him, he is for the first

time coming under pressure. But he is working at it and Haile knows he

is under pressure and wants to do damage. If he could not win it,

Haile would love to be the first Ethiopian, and that is still in his

bones. Kenenisa Bekele finding out what it is all about. I have quite

-- there have been questions about his shape because there have --

because he has not been racing. So it is difficult to know how training

has been going. He was here to come and take on Mo Farah and Tirunesh

Dibaba so that must mean he thinks he is capable of doing something

today -- and Haile Gebrselassie. So six miles. That was closer to the

roundabout. Paula Radcliffe is just working the computer and it says

28:58. That is through the first ten K. -10 kilometres. If the guy trying

to hand may macro a drink? Is he supposed to be there! -- Mo. I do

not know. That is the racing pack. We have Collis Birmingham. The

Japanese runner wearing number eight. A good chasing group. They

are not far behind. Collis Birmingham checking his time. Maybe

a minute or so. Kenenisa Bekele has a look behind. He will not be able

to see Collis Birmingham but he is aware of what is in front, these two

out in front. Mo Farah looks incredibly confident at the moment

and he is wondering if it was the incredibly confident at the moment

last he was the Kenenisa Bekele, I suspect it might be. Haile looked

over his shoulder, and it was not anxious, it was confident. Mo Farah

without a problem. Jobs opening with Kenenisa Bekele. -- yobs. If he does

not close that app quickly, we will see the race opening between two

men. -- close that app. Mo Farah told me it was tough the other day,

he was on his own, he was training hard and winning long runs, sticking

to it, trying to stay with enough motivation to keep going. He feels a

half marathon at the end of his season was important. Sometimes, the

weather is not great there. They are dressed for the weather, the

Penguins. When I said, what is the collective noun for a penguin, what

did you say? I think it was a Hoddle. It is a packet. So you say,

one packet of Penguins! Don't worry, Paula, he becomes the

quizmaster and asks impossible questions he has the answers to so

he and -- so he looks really clever. questions he has the answers to so

Well, we already know he is clever, but even more clever. It was Paula's

joke, in the car! So we have not got the 11th mile, what is evident is

that Jeptoo is not slowing down. Maybe the gap has not increased too

much, but this is relentless from Jeptoo. She put the pressure on at

the right time. The 11th mile was covered in 4:55. That is not easy,

so not slowing down. Paula's record is? Getting nervous!She will be

just a bit outside it because she is on her own and it might not easy on

the seafront with the breeze that on her own and it might not easy on

might be across the athletes. Defar not giving up and still moving well

but Jeptoo a good 100m or so ahead and still looking strong and when

she drops onto the seafront, she will note the end is not far away

and as long as she has not overcooked it a bit, she should be

all right. The gap might be 70, 80 metres. It is less than 100. We can

maybe get an idea when they come through how big the gap is. Far

enough that Defar has something to work two and Jeptoo looking back

will struggle to see her. -- to work too. I do not know if that will have

any relevance, probably not. Jeptoo, her marathon running and

half marathon experience will stand her in good stead and she will

maintain her pace through the finish and not look around too much. The

men through about seven miles will be going past the Robin Hood pub to

the left, a famous landmark forerunners in South Tyneside. --

foreigners. -- for runners. Those two have now a 25 metre lead on

Kenenisa Bekele. He always looks so comfortable but is obviously

struggling with this pace. Haile Gebrselassie is using these quick

miles, on this section we know is fast with the wind behind him, to

put his foot down and try and test Mo Farah out, who is in great shape.

They have gone for an macro 53 the six mile and have just gone through

seven miles, for: 21, so it is getting faster. -- format rope: 21.

you forget how competitive he is. You know that he is thinking about

Kenenisa. We are all watching this back home in Ethiopia. Big screens

have been wrecked did to watch their big athletes. -- have been erected.

But Mo Farah has broken that Ethiopian stranglehold. By

Kenenisa, he has not given up. There he is. We are saving you a pint for

later. I might get a free one. His style, when Kenenisa is running, you

never see him struggling. Even now, when I watch him on the track, he is

quite deceptive. You think he is OK and then suddenly, I do not know if

it is in end to, but he is as strong as Haile Gebrselassie. When I saw

him earlier this year, I thought he was giving up, I thought he was

struggling and then he surprised us. 24 minutes approximately left. And

Haile Gebrselassie, at the age of 40, still competitive. Mo Farah were

thinking he has to be careful. -- will be thinking. The women are on

the seafront now. The crowds are getting a bit excited about this.

And Paula is getting nervous because that course record is 65 minutes,

set just a few years ago. Priscah Jeptoo attempting to do the same, to

win the London Marathon as well. She is still looking very strong. She

did the 12 mile in 4.54. That is still under the piece that I ran --

the piece that I run. She is getting plenty of shelter from the depth of

the crowd here. A lot of people are out here supporting the finishers.

We are sure that you will run again, Paula. This is a great performance,

one of the best performances we have seen in the women's race. Priscah

Jeptoo. Paula is looking anxiously at that sign which says 400 metres

to go, 64 minutes. There is a great Meseret Defar. Priscah Jeptoo looks

a little tired all of a sudden. You never know. The time is 6540. That

is the course record. I suspect she might just miss it. A little smile

across Paula Radcliffe's fees. -- face.

The victory to date looks sure to four Priscah Jeptoo. Although she is

a little tired, 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. She has about 100m to go. But record disappearing. She is

looking up at the clock, it is going to be close. It is going to be a

great win. The Great North Run, Priscah Jeptoo of Kenya takes the

title. Fastest in the world this year, outside the course record.

What a brilliant run. Really strong running in the middle of the race.

Pushed on hard. She broke a Dibaba first, then Defar. The Ethiopian

bickered, -- record is 67.03, that is going to be smashed. That is a

good indication of Defar's potential. And Dibaba just coming

in, about 100m to go. But rivalry between them, that was won by Defar.

Pollock, that is still a very fast run. -- Paula. A really good showing

from Defar. Definitely. I think Dibaba will go away a little bit

concerned. She is the one that is thinking about moving to the

marathon and Defar has shown the greater potential for making that

step up to the marathon. I think Dibaba will go away thinking she has

work to do. We said that we could see fast times today, but we

expect to see that passed from the women. -- fast. That world best of

65 white 40 stays in place -- 65.40. It is a great race in the

men's as well. We've got Kenenisa was struggling, but he is back in

the race. The three of them back up together. I wonder who got a bigger

shock, Gebrselassie looking over his shoulder and seeing Kenenisa

Bekele, or Kenenisa Bekele catching up with them? The three of them

together, 42 minutes. 18 minutes of fascinating distance running.

Gebrselassie said he would have to be the pacemaker because he cannot

spin to the finish. He has been watching Mo Farah's finishing

prowess. He was asking me, how could watching Mo Farah's finishing

he run at that speed? Gebrselassie could never run anywhere near that.

He smiles all the time, he laughs all the time, he jokes all the time,

but he is a great runner as well. 15 kilometres, 43.01. They could still

pick up the pace. They are joined together here. Look at the wind

here. The trees are blowing. It is pretty much on their backs at the

moment, but it could pick up. Definitely, if you look at the

women's split, it was in the late stages of the race that the wind

seemed to help them. You can see gapless Alaska and Mo Farah starting

to look around a little bit when the gap was there. -- Gebrselassie. The

big screen on the track helps you judge those gaps. You have to go on

your own with them and on your own feeling and Moloch around -- and not

look around too much. A lot of it is run on the track to

make sure the hit the target. He is used to this. He is used to

sustaining the pace. Whatever years, he is unnatural distance runner. He

was always good, all the way through juniors, cross-country, on the

roads. He was always there or thereabouts. He has learned it is

about gauging your piece. He used to run as hard as he could because he

felt that if he did not will hurt himself in a race, he had not run

the race properly. But he has said that today, if he feels good enough

to run away from them, you know that that today, if he feels good enough

he will outsprint them. They're the are together. -- there they are

together. The men are well on their Beano. The masses are coming over

there playing bridge. Running for their own personal best

times. Thousands of them there. The weather has been kinder than

anticipated. The weather forecasters weather has been kinder than

have frightened us all week. And back at the front, all signs are

suggesting that this is developing into a burn up at the end. I cannot

see Mo Farah doing anything before the last mile. He looks very relaxed

and comfortable. Kenenisa went through a bad patch that has got

himself back and involved. With only three miles to go, we have not seen

the really big push that we saw from Priscah Jeptoo. This is starting to

look like a track race. That would not be bad. That would not be bad at

all. But I think we should just enjoy this because we will never see

this again. Haile Gebrselassie will eventually go into politics. We will

probably see Mo Farah and Kenenisa Bekele again. Possibly in Rio de

Janeiro in the marathon. Mo Farah has ambitions in the marathon. Today

is a really important day for Mo Farah, it tells whether competition

on the roads is like competition on the tracks. And whether the move is

possible. I think he needs a confidence booster from today. But

Haile Gebrselassie is just doing enough. The big dilemma, the enigma

really is Kenenisa Bekele. Why did he let them get away earlier? He

looks quite comfortable at this point. Who is going to make the

first move? There we go, straightening up, heading for the

seafront. They have nearly finished now. They are coming into the

closing miles. 41,000 have crossed the start line and are on their way.

Not quite as fast as these guys. Haile Gebrselassie has kept it at a

steady pace. He has kept that steady and I think Kenenisa has run an even

pace. He has worked his way back. I always look at Mo's face. He's had a

slightly furrowed brow. That means he's hurting. It means he is hurting

hard, Haile's working hard. We know the time's undulating. They might be

battling the wind a bit as well. Mo keeps looking behind, but it is hard

work. It doesn't matter how good you are, but running a half marathon

against these guys, it is going to be hard. Kenenisa Bekele always

looks relaxed and pretty good. This is intriguing. Any of these three

can still win this. Haile is really working for it now, trying to test

them. You can tell Mo Farah is more under pressure than we've seen him

so far probably than we've seen him so far this season. But we know how

fast he is in the finish. Kenenisa Bekele is a very difficult athlete

to predict. I spoke to him the other day and I said to him, you look a

little bit leaner than I've seen you in a while. He said, yep, I've been

training hard for this one. He's built his own track just outside

Addis Ababa. He said the track he used to train on caused him the

injuries which stopped him continuing in the fantastic

performance as. Three times Olympic champion against the two-times

Olympic champion Mo Farah and the two-times Olympic champion Haile

Olympic champion Mo Farah and the Gebrselassie. That's seven Olympic

gold medals between these three. 11 miles gone, and about 150 seconds.

There's Haile with one thing and about 150 seconds. There's Haile

with one thing this mind - can I hurt them now? I think Haile has

lost the confidence of his sprint finish. Haile would know if he is in

the last 800 metres with these two guys, he isn't going to win it, but

he wants to try to be competitive. These guys knower in this a great

race. Haile says his endurance is still there but it is not the same

and if he tries to do the speed work that would enable him to maintain

the finish and acceleration he had, he gets injured, so he decided to

keep running and maintaining his endurance. He knows with these two

behind him that now is the time he really has to make it hurt. As the

rain starts to fall, it is not pleasant for them as they turn on to

the seafront. I can only assume the conditions can, because they look

relaxed, Kenenisa Bekele more than anybody. That last mile was the

second lowest of the race. It is a tricky area through there, but given

that they've not been operating at a tricky area through there, but given

superfast pace and they might pick up, it hasn't be the case and it's

been left to Haile. This is one of those races where all three of us

can predict, but you cannot tell. Is Mo going to go early? Is Haile going

to apply to pressure? And is Kenenisa Bekele under pressure

again? I'm trying to read facial expression es. But it is really

tough. Kenenisa has that look that others used to have. You can't tell

how close to breaking point they are. They still look really

composed, and suddenly they lose 20 seconds a mile and their race is

over. It is much harder to tell. With Mo you can see that frown, a

bit with Haile as well. But some of that in this weather is trying to

keep the rain out of your eyes. Kenenisa Bekele said he wants to run

the London Marathon in the spring, and I hope they run well enough to

make them invite me. Wouldn't it be great to see these two again? Haile

will probably give the London Marathon a miss, but to stay this

competitive for so many years, you've got to marvel at his ability,

his competitiveness, the fact he trains so hard still. He's up every

morning five or 6 o'clock he runs ten miles. He runs a business with

800 people under his employment, and he goes into the gym, the world's

fastest treadmill, the 25 kilometres per hour treadmill. It is a tough

time for Ethiopians as they've come from decent weather back there. The

weather is tough, and so is the going out there. It is raining quite

heavily now. The wind's been going out there. It is raining quite

incessant through the whole morning. But it hasn't been in their faces

too much. Look how hard Mo is working there. They come to the

roundabout and drop steeply downhill. Is that an opportunity for

somebody to make the first break? After that downhill it is a sharp

left and we are on the seafront and then the long run to the finish. The

crowds are watching this on the big screen. All of the umbrellas are up.

They are an pistating a big finish. Will Mo Farah leave it to the end.

Will he wait for the kick? Will Bekele try to take take this from

Haile Gebrselassie? Can Haile run the finish out of the two younger

men? Down this steep section, is Haile looking for a bit of room.

This is where it hurts. Mo Farah checking back. I hate downhill

running myself. It is tough. He is trying to take my advice. I said,

the one thing you don't want to do is hammer down this hill. It is a

Streep drop. The temptation is to get a gap, but that makes it

difficult to pick up in this section here. But Bekele has used that

downhill. Haile is putting his arms to his side and letting his body

almost float down, the right way to do it, but Bekele has managed to get

a gap. Haile crossing to the other side of the road. I don't know

whether that's to gain more shelter or to make sure that Bekele looks

over his shoulders and doesn't always see him straight away. I

asked whether there would be a big push. This is the first big attempt

to win this race. Kenenisa Bekele used that downhill section and the

corner. Mo lost 10-15 metresness and now the pressure that was on Mo

Farah is being applied to a much greater extent. That effort he's

having to put in just to get back to Bekele will take away a bit of his

sting, if there is to be a sprint finish. Is he even making up some

ground on Bekele? That gap is getting bigger. The greatest

cross-country runner is using the technique, the up and down. He ran

down that hill magnificently. He accelerated down the hill. Mo held

back a little but he stole a bit now. Mo Farah is working hard, the

only thing we knew about the finishing run was that Haile

Gebrselassie would come under pressure. I did say that Kenenisa

Bekele said don't worry, I'm fit, I'm ready. Everyone was doubting his

ability. But here comes Mo Farah. He is digging the deep. The one thing

about Mo Farah that you know is that he will always give 100%. Is is, in

his own terms the, a graft ter, but he's running against a began that's

back on form. We've seen him be disappointing for a while and come

back to form. In the middle of this race you wouldn't have given

tuppence for his chance, but here is Kenenisa Bekele testing our great Mo

Farah. Every time he looks behind, Mo Farah seems to fight again. Mo is

fighting really, really hard. I thought Mo was working hard a couple

of miles back. You can tell by his facial expression. He is under

pressure, having to grit his teeth, having to find something. Kenenisa

Bekele is not giving up. The gap is 5 seconds at the moment. Bekele

looks strong, confident, quick as well. Policy in Mo can turn around

the momentum here, which is all going towards Bekele, he's going to

run out of time, run out of space and out of speed. The greatest

cross-country runner of all tile, the great track man of many years

ago, the world record holeder of 5-10,000 metres, he is telling

everybody, I'm going to be as good on the roads as I was on the track.

He wants to be, he is so determined to be, he has built his own running

track so he can get his training done. Mo Farah is on his way. Mo

Farah will be getting support down this closing straight. He needs to

remain focused on Kenenisa Bekele. He has given the odd glance over his

shoulder. I don't know if that is a weakness. I don't think that gap is

closing any. All of a sudden a different cadence from Mo Farah. Mo

Farah changing gear. This over? Is this finished? Kenenisa Bekele

doesn't have the pace he used to have any more, but is there enough

room? Is there enough distance for Farrah to close this gap? A last

effort by Mo Farah. Can he run on the roads like he's run on the

track? And is Kenenisa Bekele going to show him today, don't write me

off, don't forget me. 400 metres together. Kenenisa Bekele leads but

here comes Mo Farah. He is running like we've 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 looks behind but Mo Farah

is coming. He's made a huge effort to try to get back to the Ethiopian.

And the crowd know it. CHEERING

They've seen him do it on the track. Is he going to do it on the roads

here? 200 metres to go. Bekele leads it! Farrah on the charge. The great

do you Dell between two great champions. Bekele gritting his

teeth, but Farrah is coming. It is relentless from Mo Farah. He wants

teeth, but Farrah is coming. It is to win this. He's digging deep.

Bekele goes again, but Mo Farah fighting hard. The two of them now

almost side by side. He's got to make one more effort to try and get

there, but Bekele is make one more effort to try and get

him off. A Kenenisa Bekele, a great race and a great win for the

champion. CHEERING AND APPLAUSE The Great

North Run run goes to Bekele. Mo Farah has to settle for second place

in one of the greatest finishes we've 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 the greatest of all time, Haile

Gebrselassie. He might not know who won this. But now he does. Just as a

consolation Mark Butler tells me that is a world record for over

40-year-olds in a half marathon. Well, Mo might might wonder whether

or not he let him get away. You can't do much when somebody makes

that big effort. That clever move down the hill and around the corner

with a mile and a corner to go. Set him on his way. Mo tried to Chang on

to him. The gap reached 5-6 seconds and Mo gave it his best. These three

great athletes gave us a fantastic race. Kenenisa Bekele perhaps the

underdog coming into this race in his first ever half marathon was the

one who came out on top. CHEERING

In fourth place Arata Fujiwara from Japan. His first half marathon of

the year. Ran 61. 5 last year. That's a good performance for him.

He came in fourth. His colleague, Birmingham, faded, and so did much

He came in fourth. His colleague, That's a good performance for him.

He came in fourth. His colleague, Birmingham, faded, and so did much

much much -- and so did Meucci as well. Although Mo didn't come out on

top today. It was harder. You can see Mo was working hard two or three

miles out. Not a superfast time. Mo's had a long and hard year. It

was great he was here today and he put up a really good show. It might

make him think how hard he is going to have to work for the longer

distances next year. I think it is going to give him fire as he heads

into his winter training. He doesn't like to be beaten the. You can see

that in how much he threw into it. You need to study the course before

hand. I don't think he realised how narrow the straight was here.

Kenenisa was conserving and blocking him as well. He didn't have the

margin to move wide and come around on the outside of Bekele. He needs

to learn how to relax and run downhill as well. I think that race

was run on that downhill section. Kenenisa was able to let his body

flow and used the momentum to get a gap coming into the seafront. We've