Great Manchester Run Athletics

Today, 40,000 people will run to the end of Manchester, a city I have

known since I was a little girl, home to Britain's most loved soap

opera and to the Premier League champions, yes! And of course to

brilliant football teams. This brave band of runners will be motivated by

their own personal stories, running for mums, dads, sons, daughters,

aunties, uncles. They are a for a bet, Friday, to gain confidence, to

lose weight, to help a friend. Today, 40,000 people will take part

in the Great Manchester Run. One of them will be me.

Yes, best of luck to Julie and everybody taking part today. Good

morning to you at home. Slightly later than we anticipated,

apologies, welcome to our coverage of the Great Manchester Run. It is

the biggest 10K in the UK. A quarter of a million people have done this

since it started in 2003. As you can see, there is a whole bunch more

waiting to do it again today. 40,000, as Julie told us at the

start of the programme. Amongst them, you will find Olympic and

world champions, actors, actresses, footballers, first timers, old pros

and Humphrey the bear. And it is an incredibly hot day today. I have

heard 80 Fahrenheit haps. People will be wishing it could be a bit

cooler. This is the mascot for the royal Manchester Children's

Hospital, one of the many charities people are running for him today.

Since the race started in 2003, a staggering ?22 million has been

raised for charity by this Great Manchester Run. An incredible array

of charities are president here today, cancer charities, children's

charities, died Oxford a blind, mountain rescue, charities that help

refugees, provide education for kids in Africa, the list goes on. That is

what this event is about. Thousands of runners have thousands of reasons

to get up and run, and over the next two and a half hours, we will tell

you some of their stories. And we would love to hear from you, so

please get in touch via social media. We will be reading out some

of those messages during the programme. We will also hear from

Phil Jones and Denise Lewis, who are out and about on the course. Here is

Phil, with Julie Hesmondhalgh. Yes, what a face she is to everyone here

in the north-west and everyone in the country. We saw the tragic exit

of your character, didn't 10 million people watch that? I think so. I am

not sure of the exact figures, but it was a big one for Corrie. This

city has a dear place in your heart. Absolutely, and has done since I was

a little girl. But this is the first time I have done the Manchester 10K,

so it is a bit of an initiation. I feel like I am not a proper

Mancunian until I have done it. It is a beautiful day, as it always is

for the 10K. Looking forward to it. Tell everybody at

for the 10K. Looking forward to it. running for today? It is a very

special charity to me, a charity running for today? It is a very

lost their little boy, Ruben, to a running for today? It is a very

they set up a charity, hoping to build

they set up a charity, hoping to where families with children with

life-threatening illnesses can go and enjoy themselves and build

memories and have a bit of counselling and a bit of fun. It is

a very lovely building 20 minutes outside Manchester. We are

fund-raising now to do it up and make it a beautiful

fund-raising now to do it up and families who are going through

similar things. What a fantastic cause. We will hear more on that

story later. Enjoy the race, see you at the finish. Wish me luck!

And that charities in force today. They have 251 is . Among them are

ritual and Wendy. What is your connection to the charity? I

personally knew Ruben, so when the charity was born, I knew I wanted to

do something but I did not know what I could do to help. Not long after

that, I started running at a local running club. Since then, I have

done 10Ks and half marathons . So not only have I raised a lot of

money, but it has changed my life. not only have I raised a lot of

And you and your family have raised a lot of money for the charity?

Yes, we have raised money through selling pictures at our gallery. We

raised over ?12,000. And I have done half marathons, 10Ks and as much as

I can to raise money half marathons, 10Ks and as much as

charity. We are in it as a family. Have a good day. Yes, lots of celebs

running here today. Lots of money being raised for charity, but there

are also some tasty elite race is going on here. Phil Jones has the

guide. Congratulations on the performance at the London Marathon

this year. New course record. When you reflect back on that, how great

achievement it for you? It was one of the best achievements for me,

because after the world-record, it was my last marathon. And to running

such a big crowd -- to run in such a big gap, that strong feeling,

running a record in London meant a lot for me. Congratulations on your

marathon win in Paris. Actually, I planned to go faster than that

time, but it was my first time in a marathon. So I did not have any

experience before . I was happy about it. It was a good time. I ran

a good time in London, so I think we are almost the same level. It is the

first time for me to compete with him. Tell me your memories of that

fantastic win here last year. TRANSLATION: It was a very good race

for me. The weather was good and it was an excellent win for me last

year. 2002 was your last loss in a row grace over 10K, so do you feel

you have ownership of this event? TRANSLATION: As you said, I have not

lost in the 10,000, and 10K is a favourite of mine. Tomorrow, I hope

to run a good race. So much to look forward to over the course of the

next two and a half hours. Tyranny Barber start -- Tirunesh Dibaba that

sat 10.25. Julie Hesmondhalgh is running for a court was very close

to her heart. We will hear lots more about that during the course of the

programme. And hopefully, the bear will be hoping to keep cool. He is

the standard-bearer for the amazing work of the royal Manchester

Children's Hospital. And we will be capturing all the sites and seems of

this 12th Great Manchester Run, always an amazing day on the streets

of the north-west capital. Yesterday, it was all about speed.

Greg Rutherford was in the long jump up we had Yohan Blake and Christine

Ohuruogu. We will see the highlights of yesterday's city games. So, the

women are about to start a little later than advertised. Time to say

good morning to Paula Radcliffe and Andrew Cotter and Steve Cram.

Morning, Jonathan, morning, everybody. The elite women are ready

to go. As Jonathan said, a slight delay. There are so many experienced

athletes. They have kept themselves calm and

warmed up. Lovely sunshine in Manchester. Temperature rising, bit

of a breeze. The breeze is picking up to become a slight wind. Helen

Clitheroe was the winner in 2011. One of the stalwarts of British

distance running over the years, from 1500 right through to the

marathon. Sophie Duarte is one of France's best European cross-country

champions. For many of the European athletes, the European Championships

are later in the year. Gemma Steel has had a bit of an up-and-down

year. She was meant to run in London, but an injury stopped her

doing that. But she has bounced back with good form since then and will

be hoping to make her marathon debut later in the year. What more can you

say about Tirunesh Dibaba? So good to see her in Manchester again. So

they have been waiting a little while to get away. The elite women

are the first to set foot on the road of Manchester this morning.

Thousands will follow later, but for the time being, the road is all for

this small group of elite women. Plenty of British women to watch out

for, the likes of Susan Partridge. Others will be looking to run in the

Commonwealth Games and European Championships . All of those

selection places are yet to be decided. Some are already known who

will be competing. We will chat more about that as the race goes on.

Paula, let's start with Tirunesh Dibaba, coming fresh from the

marathon. She ran well in London. Did not win, but it was a very good

debut. How long does it take you to recover? What should we expect from

her today? You have to play it by ear, recovering from a marathon,

especially your first one. Generally, it takes five to eight

weeks before your legs are back with that pop in them. But sometimes it

is less because of the work you put in during preparation for the

marathon . Tirunesh Dibaba went into the marathon in great shape. It just

depends how long it takes her legs to recover that bounce. I don't

think it will take her to long. She has had a low year on the track in

terms of Championships. No European Championships or Commonwealth Games,

so she will be aiming to try and hit some fast times. She will have

recovered well from London and be using this as a gauge to see if she

is ready to start getting into those hard to track sessions and build

into the summer. They are already making swift progress. They will

head out towards the Salford area, past Old Trafford, which is about

half way. Then they turn back, again past Old Trafford, and as we have

seen on this course many times, it can get easy out there. They will

finish in front of us here in Deansgate, where we were yesterday

for the city games. It is a beautiful day today in terms of

temperature. It is a little breezy. It will be interesting to see

whether that slows them down. Temp two last year ran the course in a

record -- Tirunesh Dibaba around the course in a record time last year.

But so far this morning, they have started quickly. Last year, Gemma

Steel was trying to hang on to this race, but is going out with real

intent here. Yes, Polline Wanjiku is leading at the moment. She was the

pacemaker in the London Marathon. She ran a solid pace and then

carried on to 30K. That was a decent run for her. Her training partner

was Florence Kiplagat. Here, she's doing a bit of work for Tirunesh

Dibaba, who has that she wanted to come and run a decent time today. It

is windy out there. They have a strong wind here in Deansgate. I ran

by Old Trafford this morning, and it was calm them, but the wind has gone

up since. We will see if that affects the fast times, especially

for the women, because there is not a lot a shelter for them. No other

runners around. For years, Brandon and I could pretend we were out

there, running . Now you are commentating with me, it is not

good. But you are setting a beautiful example. It is a beautiful

day. The mass racers will be starting soon. The first kilometre

has been a very fast three minutes and four seconds.

has been a very fast three minutes leading the chasing group. They have

got to slow down a bit, I would think.

Gemma Steel has closed the gap up. Sophie Duarte must be thinking

Gemma Steel has closed the gap up. every time she comes to England, she

has to run in a strong wind! She took part in the 10K trial for the

European Championships last weekend and ran second to Joe Pavey, who had

an outstanding run. She ran 32.11 in windy conditions. So Duarte did

qualify fourth the European Championships in that race in a

debut 10K. A very quick start of this women's elite race,

debut 10K. A very quick start of starting to slow a bit. They have

set out with real intent. We starting to slow a bit. They have

be up for a real race. Lots more to come.

Starting the great Manchester run for us today is the newly crowned

WBC welterweight champion, Amir Khan. Lovely to see you. It's great

to be here, the weather is amazing. I am excited, it's an honour to be

here. One day we will see you actually running, this is a double

for you! Yes, I ran actually running, this is a double

ago, I will challenge myself next year. Tell me about that fight.

Boxing fans around the world would say it is probably one of your best

ever, defensively you were brilliant, attacking usually. I have

been at the out of the ring for about 13 months, and in that time I

trained so hard, I was working on my skills, working on my defence,

fence, and when it came to the fight I had to give it 100% because I know

there were a lot of doubters out there. To fight one of the best

fighters in the world, Floyd Mayweather, I had to win this fight.

It's all about being smart and picking the right fights now. I know

it's touching distance but I will leave it to my promotions team,

hopefully they can make that fight next year. Enjoy the afternoon, make

sure your hands don't get to soft! That gap is already growing again.

It looked as though they were coming back to the front two, but Dibaba is

alongside when GQ, so the pace has been forced. This is super fast. If

your ramble been forced. This is super fast. If

ran so fast in the second half of the race, if she can keep this pace

going, which could be up for something really special. The wind

has picked up a lot since early, try and give us an indication committed

with them or against them? Yesterday, it was quite windy when I

went out, then coming back from Old Trafford, the wind was behind you

and it was quite nice. Certainly now, it is behind them. I think they

are running into the wind and they will have it at their backs more in

the second half. Gemma Steel, on her own at the moment, in third place.

Daunay, not able to stay with this, this is a very quick pace. Gemma's

quickest time was last year. But look at Dibaba already and when GQ,

whatever her race plan was, she was maybe thinking, Dibaba will be

tired. There is your answer. The fatigue of the marathon hit her in

London, she might have been regretting going back to the drinks

bottle, it cost one of the top two places but she recovered really

well. She is properly just on the preparation she did pre-London and

let it come through now. It is more maintaining this and it is Wanjiku

is slowing down a bit. A bit more news from last night, in Watford, Jo

Pavey continued news from last night, in Watford, Jo

has run a qualifying time for the 5000. She is a former winner of the

great Manchester run on a couple of occasions. Great that she is running

well. As Paul was saying earlier, others are still trying to cement

their places. -- Paula. Many of the Scottish athletes are already

selected, Susan Partridge, Helen Clitheroe, she has already been

selected. 9.16 at three kilometres, really fast running for Dibaba. Not

slowing down at all. You could see her checking her watch as she came

across the three, to mark. She is out with intent today. The world's

best is 30.29. That was back in 2002. Who has got the outright

record? Me. That was different conditions, Dibaba has gone out hard

here but we saw last year that she came back quicker. Can we expect her

to speed up? When I run it, I went out and died a bit in the second

half. It was hot and windy, I went through 14.48 at halfway, I did slow

down bit. I thought it was Paul Turner get, but it wasn't him, it

was someone else. The easier way to run is definitely to come back

faster in the second half. She is very capable of doing that. I think

she will have the wind behind her now. Gemma has dropped back to run

with Daunay, who has a lot of experience. She has been second and

third here in the past. Last year, our statistician let me

know that 9.27 was the time at three kilometres, says she is 11 seconds

quicker. You could think she is putting herself in 30.30 territory,

depending on how she keeps going. With the endurance she should have

from the marathon training, she has every opportunity of going quick

here. Gemma Steel, perhaps starting to pay for trying to cope with the

early surges. She will be in a scrap, maybe not for third, she

might pull in Wanjiku a bit later. At the moment, Tirunesh Dibaba has

it all to herself. Wilson Kipsang is the marathon world

record holder. Twice he has won the London Marathon, including last

month when he set a new course record. If Yediot's Kenenisa Bekele

is one of the athletics greats. Three times and Allagui temping --

Ethiopian's Kenenisa Bekele. He made his marathon debut with victory in

Paris last week. Mokoka won the great South run. He will be hoping

to live with Kipsang and the Caley today. Lamdassem runs for Spain. He

was a top-10 in lasting's London Marathon. Lemoncello aims to be the

best of British today. These are important times for the Scot who won

the great Edinburgh run last year. A wonderful site at the start. Tens

of thousands. They go different ways, it is only 10K, they have to

be staggered at the start right through the morning. The first to

get away will be the elite men who will head the first wave of athletes

to set off on what we hope will be a cracking race. He ran in the

Olympics, as you can see there. It seems so long ago, only two years,

fresh in the memory. Lamdassem, one of your's top performers, finished

10th in last year's London Marathon. -- your's top performers. Stephen

Mokoka, if one of the big names today are off the pace, he could

give them something to think about. But the two names, two of the

biggest names in world distance running, the fastest man over the

marathon distance, winner of the London 2012 race and in 2014, not

winning the Olympic gold medal he so hoped for, may be see him at the

Commonwealth Games this year. And he is taking on perhaps one of the

greatest, perhaps not the greatest, highly Gebrselassie might get that

title, but very close behind him in terms of titles, world records,

Kenenisa Bekele. One of the great occasions the city

of May just a house to offer. This event has grown and grown. -- the

city of Manchester. It is just got bigger and bigger. So many people,

not just bigger and bigger. So many people,

people travelling from all over the UK to come and take part in what is

always a great spectacle. We have been talking more about the

always a great spectacle. We have races. If anyone in

always a great spectacle. We have hasn't run this yet, I will be

always a great spectacle. We have surprised, so many take part! A

great rule for all these runners because there are the two channels,

the club runners, the because there are the two channels,

not too far away from the greats of running, to be alongside Kenenisa

Bekele, it'll be the last running, to be alongside Kenenisa

them for good while until they arrive at the end. It is a huge

field. If you are not familiar with this, you might wonder what their

time is if they are held back, but they all wear chips on their issues,

it is that time that matters. -- on their shoes. They have a slab of the

hand their shoes. They have a slab of the

away. The women's race, Tirunesh Dibaba, still maintaining a pretty

good pace. 15.34 at halfway. She slowed down a little bit in the

good pace. 15.34 at halfway. She that pace she was running so

consistently. I guess it was a bit of a strong headwind in the fourth

kilometre. She has come to be got the race one, so it is all about how

fast she can run. -- she has comfortably got the race one.

Gemma was preparing for the London Marathon, and she had to pull out

due to a calf injury that she sustained in the New York half

marathon in March. She said it was because she hadn't put on her long

socks. Her calf is feeling very good, it would be nice to see her

continue the form she has started to show last year on the roads, with

continue the form she has started to some fast running. It's a big lead,

and you are right, Wanjiku paid for maybe going bit hard, maybe Gemma

and Daunay as well, they were going out very fast and have settled down

now. They went over halfway in just over 16 minutes, then another 20

seconds behind them is a group including Helen Clitheroe and Susan

Partridge. Real interest in this men's race,

though. Kipsang against the Caley, -- Kenenisa Bekele. The Caley --

Kenenisa Bekele, running his first marathon. It paid off for him, at

the right tactics, a really good strong performance from him, he ran

much of the latter part on his own, looked good. The question for him

now is, what does that mean? Will we see him in the marathon in Rio? I

think there at every opportunity that may happen. I think so. Very

definitely, Kenenisa Bekele measures himself and wants to get ahead and

wants to beat everything that the great Haile Gebrselassie has done.

And he of course went out and broke world records in the marathon and

Kenenisa Bekele believes he can do that. He ran a quieter race in

comparison to the London race that Mo Farah went into, I think the

advantage to him there was when he did hit his rough patch in the

marathon, which everybody does at some point, he was on his own and he

able to drop it back and recover from the hamstring cramps he was

getting and get back on top of it and run the course record. Mo Farah

had to go in and run London, when you grow up in the UK, the London

Marathon is the one you want to run in. So he made the right decision.

But the race panned out easier for But the race panned out easier for

from that better and get a confidence boost. Kipsang is now a

little bit riled by the fact that he said that he is after his world

record! You might want to lose too much ground today.

It does not sound like much of a difference. If you are trying to

knock a minute of your own baby, you would think ten minutes is a lot --

off your own PB. But a minute is a lot. It is a big ask to make that

commitment to target the Olympic marathon, a very different type of

race, very different conditions to those you meet in Paris in the

spring or in the autumn in Chicago or New York. That is the dilemma for

all of them, including Kip sang. Yes. Kipsang has shown that he can

get there in shape. He has stated that he is thinking about running

the Commonwealth Games. He was selected for Kenya, would surprise

me, because I thought he would be more likely to go for a big-city

race in the autumn. He is very much targeting Championships. And it is

different to run a marathon than championship, as opposed to the ten

Kate, where you can come to Europe and race a lot more. Is it not the

rainy season in Ethiopia in the run-up to the Championships, so

maybe that makes preparation harder. As much as Tirunesh Dibaba is

dominating the elite women's race, it was a dominating performance from

Simon Lawson to defend his title here in the men's wheelchair race.

The 31-year-old from the Solway Firth in Cumbria, it is an upslope

to the finish here in Deansgate, but it was a

to the finish here in Deansgate, but Lawson, Britain's second wheelchair

racer behind David Weir. He had an emphatic victory. Here is a face

that the Manchester United faces Nowell, Phil Neville. It still seems

weird referring to you as an ex-footballer. Now you are running

today? Year, a year ago today I retired. And the minute I retired, I

wanted to do more of these types of runs. I ran this one about four

years ago and enjoyed the, but I had to walk around because I was between

seasons. This time, I want to have fun and raise money along the way.

You are raising money for a cause very did to your heart. Explain why?

It is the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, the hospital

where both my children were born. My daughter was very sick when she was

born ten years ago, we have been associated with the charity for a

long time, raising money for the hospital to keep equipment

improving. It is something I love being involved in. It is days like

today that make it worthwhile. And there is a whole team of you running

today. We will notice you in the familiar lime green colours. Yeah,

it is not the nicest of this is to wear! -- nicest of vests. But there

are lots of charities. Everyone out here is raising money for a good

cause. That is so important. Everyone is running for their

individual causes. It is important that everyone raises lots of money

for wonderful causes. Great to see you here. All the best and enjoy it.

There are loads of people here that will get lots of support on the run.

I am looking forward to the start. Apparently, it will be a bit of a

scrum, so I will get my boxing gloves ready. That was a mix of

sports! Phil Neville, the footballer, is having a bit of a

scrum and he has got his boxing gloves ready. Interesting here. You

can see Gemma Steel and Wanjiku, who is struggling after setting off so

hard. The pace has dropped both at the front with Dibaba as well. And

all of a the front with Dibaba as well. And

foot down a bit again. This is the race for second place here. There

would be a couple of good scalps for Gemma Steel. She was so disappointed

not to run in London after all the hard work she put in to prepare for

that. She has done the British athletics endurance programme, who

are trying to develop athletes. Gemma was somebody who was

recognised as having potential for the marathon. I think it is right to

do that. Definitely. We are trying to identify future talent and give

them that support to move through and hopefully achieve things. I

think Gemma has the potential to do that. Tirunesh Dibaba is looking

really smooth as she moves away . Now she is looking behind. She is

running a much more even pace. She's checking her watch, so she's

definitely focusing on that time. You can see from the bushes along

the side of the road that it is very windy. The previous shot, you could

see on their faces that they were struggling with swirling wind, which

is not it is turning quite a bit today.

She is still on a solid pace here. Well, if you thought about it,

running six minutes for the last two K, she could pick up a bit in the

last kilometre, so that is a good performance from Dibaba. She has got

it all to herself. No threat from behind. She is maintaining good pace

and she looks strong. It will be readjusting to see how the rest of

her summer develops now that she has pushed herself into the world of

marathon running -- it will be interesting to see. Tirunesh Dibaba

at Old Trafford, with almost a minute's lead. She has stretched it

out. The others are slowing minute's lead. She has stretched it

There was never going to be any question about who was going to win

today, all going OK for Tirunesh Dibaba. Just a

today, all going OK for Tirunesh she is going to go. But in the men's

race, there is a question about who will win. Because if Bekele is off,

you would expect Kipsang to have a chance. He is quick. Kipsang's

personal best for 10K on the Reds came in the half marathon, when he

ran his PB of under came in the half marathon, when he

if he wants to win this race today, he needs to make it a hard-won from

quite a fair way out. he needs to make it a hard-won from

leave it until a sprint finish, and although Kipsang is quick, he would

not be on the same level as he comes into the closing 400m.

not be on the same level as he comes to make a hard-won and use that

marathon strength and pace that he can sustain over a distance. That is

his forte. He does not seem keen on doing that yet. You can see that the

wind is blowing a in that group. -- they are happy to sit in that group.

A lot of our guys went to America and there was a great run by Andy

Vernon. Nick had a poor race. He was outside 14 minutes. He was trying to

bounce back with a good performance on the road.

Meanwhile, ploughing a lone furrow, as she often does, Dibaba will wait

and time her effort perfectly. I was watching a video a little while ago

about her running watching a video a little while ago

only blessed with great talent, but she has a lovely action as well,

particularly running on the roads. She is a good track one, but she has

a good, economical action as well. You could contrast that with the

likes of Wanjiku. Dibaba, even when tired, maintains good form. She will

likes of Wanjiku. Dibaba, even when be tired at the moment, trying to

search in the last kilometre or so. She is a lovely one to watch. She is

very smooth. She is probably hurting a bit. But her shoulders are very

relaxed. Her arm action is neat and compact. And she has a quick leg

turnover, even when she fatigues. She looks smooth, without being too

bouncy, which is one of the reasons why she has transferred to the

marathon well. Wanjiku has a much easier star in her arms and Gemma

has a loping stride, which can transfer well to the marathon, but

it puts more pressure on her weak area. She is running well. They are

fighting it out for that second place. They have dropped Daunay.

Dibaba is now turning things on a bit. She is very familiar with

Dibaba is now turning things on a course. 400m to go. She will be

outside the course record. It course. 400m to go. She will be

be interesting to see if she can dip under 31 minutes. She's going to be

struggling to find 31 minutes. Gemma Steel is a good minute behind. But

struggling to find 31 minutes. Gemma it is good to see her forcing the

pace. Daunay is about 50m behind these two, so Gemma is sensing that

she could these two, so Gemma is sensing that

Wanjiku, who is struggling at the moment. Gemma had

Wanjiku, who is struggling at the over, sees the gap, and when you see

that gap it gives you the momentum to put your foot down about more.

But it is not over yet. Gemma has a faster finish than you would think,

so hopefully she has got a bit left. The clock is ticking away for

Tirunesh Dibaba. She will not be too bothered about that. No course

record today, the wind perhaps playing a factor in that. But it is

great to see one of the world's greatest athletes of all time,

Tirunesh Dibaba, winning in Manchester again. No doubt about her

class and the fact that Dibaba, whenever she steps on the road and

races over this ten kilometre distance, she is pretty much

unbeatable. And sometimes she hardly looks as though she has been out for

more than a Sunday morning stroll! But I dig it was hard work for her

today. And it is good to see Gemma Steel forging away from Wanjiku in

today. And it is good to see Gemma the last 300 metres. She will turn

this end under the railway bridge. We will be able to see the finish

line. She will try and muster up a last bit of effort to hold off the

Kenyon, who is making another surge of the inside. She can sense the

finish as well. I don't think she will close the gap. Wanjiku is

trying again. The cloud are trying to raise Gemma Steel, who responds

well. Can she hold of? Steel, trying to take second place, and she gets

it. Well done, Gemma. Wanjiku, third place for Kenya. And Christelle

Daunay takes fourth place. There will be a big gap to the fifth least

athlete. We will keep an eye on that. Well, business as usual for

Tirunesh Dibaba. It was an even paced race for her. The quickest

part of the race was probably the first three kilometres, and then

settled down after that. first three kilometres, and then

Felix, coming in for fifth place. Another familiar face to those of

you who have watched our cross-country coverage over the last

few years. But none of them came anywhere near Tirunesh Dibaba, of

course. Well, that one followed the script.

But it will be interesting to see what happens here. We said Nick

MacCormack was in that group of six, and that was because they have been

doing fairly sedately. Now these three have all the way. Both of

these guys have got marathons in their legs. I said at the beginning

that Bekele would be happy their legs. I said at the beginning

win this. I their legs. I said at the beginning

any way he likes if it stays at this sort of pace. But if I was Stephen

Mokoka, I sort of pace. But if I was Stephen

foot down a bit. He is one of those guys who comes in with a great

range. He has won a 2.08 marathon. He would reckon that he could close

fast towards the end of this race. And maybe not sit on Bekele, but

slot in there. I think he is not aiming to win this race. The two

guys trying to win our Kipsang and Bekele, and he is looking to come

third. He is struggling a bit, trying to get a bit of shelter

behind the first two, but losing a bit of ground. I think that Kipsang

was thinking, if it stays like this, there is only going to be one

result, he might as well have a go. Kipsang now, just trying to force

the issue a bit with Bekele and test his fortitude, which I suppose in

recent years, there was a time over the last couple of years when we

were wondering whether Bekele was going to come back, whether he was

were wondering whether Bekele was going to find the motivation, which

was a bit of a? With him. I going to find the motivation, which

was the Great North Run last year, that race was such a turning point

for Bekele, I am not sure we would have seen him move on. He came out

on top, and his camp altered the same thing, suddenly it is the

on top, and his camp altered the Bekele back again, he has got his

Mojo back, if you like! He definitely went through a rough

patch and was definitely went through a rough

and surprise a few people and give himself a lot of confidence going

into his preparation for Paris. He into his preparation for Paris. He

also said he had been struggling over the last few years and the fact

he had the new target of the marathon did mean he knuckled

and did some quality training, building into Paris. He has

recovered well, you can see his building into Paris. He has

mentality is to do as little work as possible until the closing stages,

and Aston is Kipsang try to pick up the pace, he was right in behind

him. -- as soon as Kipsang tried to pick up the pace. Now he's quite

happy to pull alongside, let Kipsang know that, I am still here, you are

going to have to do the work, I will match you stride for stride.

Well, we're not going to see a course record today, that was back

in 2007. It has been a day not for record but

I think McCormack is having a much better run, he is trying to hang on

to that group. Meftah was trying to pick up the pace in the early

stages, he was being allowed to leave, if anything else. But I think

Nick MacCormack was a decent 1500 Metres runner, he had a go at the

5000 and the ten, but we now have a bunch of guys who have started to

run well. Chris Thompson, flirted with the marathon. It is good to see

some of our more experienced guys really starting to find their feet,

almost. It is good to see British distance running, Mo Farah has

almost. It is good to see British an impact on that, of course, but

hopefully Nick can get a good impact here today and fire up his season.

He's seconds behind the leaders. These two, locked together. Great to

see these guys can win through and registering their good performances

over 10,000 registering their good performances

to the summer. -- coming from. Looking forward to seeing what the

marathon has done for them in terms of the strength and how quickly they

can recover that two running on the track. Bekele will be watching with

interest, does he race on the track and how fast can he go? Can

interest, does he race on the track back to the world record shape he

interest, does he race on the track was in several years ago or will he

focus on the roads and run for fun on the track in the summer? So to

world record holders, side by side. Bekele, stepping into Kipsang's

territory recently. The two of them, running side-by-side, two of the

best runners the world has ever seen. I like Kipsang, like his

attitude. I think he did overcook it in the Olympics, it was there for

him to win, he was the best runner in the world at the time, he had won

the London Marathon, he got a bit in the world at the time, he had won

excited, Kiprop which took a surprise win and Kipsang bounceback

and has since then have a great couple of years. We saw the shape he

was in when he won the London Marathon this year in that course

record. He will have to do something special to come up with a win today.

Mokoka is in third place. It is their battle for fourth and fifth.

Nick MacCormack is doing well. Doing his best to try and hang onto

Meftah. You can see, they are moving out

into the area where the crowds to start to build up. If we look out

here, a lot of people had turned out, they are waiting for friends

and family to arrive across the finish line but also to which the

finish of these elite races. -- to watch the finish. A birds eye view

for us, they have a growing view of what the others are doing, .

Thousands of others running, we will be following their progress, giving

Kipsang and Bekele cheer along the way, which is great to see. You have

to fear for Kipsang when it gets to watch the finish! If you look at the

expression on their faces, it was interesting, the focus and

determination and intent on the face of Kenenisa Bekele and Wilson

Kipsang is a lot more of a mask, not giving too much away. If he's going

to make a strong move, it needs to be now. Kenenisa Bekele licks the

stronger and more comfortable of the two, he has this race on the

control. -- looks the stronger. Mokoka is safe in third place, a

fair distance ahead of the chasing group, still to be decided at the

front, the two of them, stride by stride, the tempo is picking up all

the time. Bekele, blessed with blistering pace at the end of track

races and on the road. Kipsang, I'm not sure he can get into top gear, I

think Bekele is going to shift through the gears. Kipsang, as good

as he is, he is a marathon runner, but with 400 Metres to go, this is

Kenenisa Bekele's territory. He had a little glance behind and knows he

can finish this at his leisure. Not going to be a quick time today,

still recovering from the going to be a quick time today,

he ran in Paris in early April. But it is great to see Kenenisa Bekele

looking as good as this, looking as comfortable and relaxed as this. His

career, now entering a whole new phase, if you like, and when we can

all look forward to now. I for one will be intrigued to see if he

really does impress the marathon distance. -- embrace. It is going to

be an emphatic win in the latter stages for Kenenisa Bekele, cheered

on by this big crowd gathered here in the sunshine. He catches one or

two of the stragglers to the women's elite race. Kenenisa Bekele wins

two of the stragglers to the women's great Manchester run. Wilson

Kipsang, world marathon record holder, has to settle for second.

Smiles from the two of them, a lot of camaraderie out there, and you

couldn't argue that that was going to be the result, especially as the

pace wasn't that quick. I don't think even Kipsang would have argued

that, he was happy to get that second place and identity believed

he could win that race and didn't commit himself in a way that would

have been this is very challenge Kenenisa Bekele and make it harder

for him. Stephen Mokoka, managing to hang on to third place.

Lamdassem is going to out cake Meftah, he takes fourth place and

Meftah will be fifth. It will be interesting to see what

Kenenisa Bekele decides to do for the rest of the season. Hasn't

really said about his plans to maybe come back and run a couple of big

track races for the Ethiopians, no championship as such. The

Commonwealth Games, the Kenyans can aim at, the South Africans as well.

Kipsang has said that if you get selected he would love to run in the

Commonwealth Games, but the Kenyans, I am not sure what they are going to

do with their marathon team as yet. A rather breezy finish here

Still coming through at the start, Portland Street, at the junction

with Oxford Street, they come through in different ways. All

shapes and sizes, different types of running, they set off into this

fairly breezy cause, all looking for a personal time or running something

very personal. Not too far away, the elite men continue to come through.

We will be following those races, but just to bring you the official

results: 2.31 for the last kilometre, that is

pretty quick, no wonder Kipsang couldn't hang on to him.

A comfortable win race. Tirunesh Dibaba, no question

about whether or not she was going to win, it was about how fast she

would run. Pretty fast in the windy conditions. A really good

performance from Gemma Steel, just holding off

performance from Gemma Steel, just Wanjiku from Kenya. Helen to the row

performance from Gemma Steel, just in six, just ahead of her team-mate

-- Clitheroe. Really windy day, I have relocated

to Really windy day, I have relocated

tunnel, be 30 miles, blowing the Really windy day, I have relocated

runners across the finish, tens of thousands are running by. We had

back to the start now. I'm here with the best of BBC

Breakfast, Bill Turnbull and Louise Minchin, great to see

Breakfast, Bill Turnbull and Louise Gill, you have been here before,

warmer then you are used to. That is a good excuse for adding a minute or

two to the time! You can say, I had to slow down! My wife has given me

strong instructions about that. Take it easy today. What about the

atmosphere in the build-up? Amazing, so many people out here to

support us, everybody is slapping on the suncream, I feel nervous,

though, it doesn't make me feel scared, I don't know why. I'm not go

to try and run faster in the thing, but I get nervous! I'm sure you have

passed on some tips and how warm and welcoming this crowd is. I love

running in Manchester, everybody comes together, the way the streets

are altogether, it is lovely. The course itself is readily flat, you

run up to the stadium, fantastic place to look at, you come down the

hill and you are roaring back in and then there is a super finish there.

There is a massive crowd waiting to welcome you, it is really enjoyable.

He's almost making it sound like it's going to be fun! Well, it's not

a race anyway, as far as I'm concerned shall stop Tommy who you

are winning for? I am running for a charity for the deaf and blind, I

have been supporting them for a number of years, they are fantastic.

A lot of people have sponsored me, when it is hard and I'm sponsored, I

think, it's another ?5, run faster! Said thank you to everyone. I'm with

the Christie NHS Trust, really important, treating people with

cancer here in the North West, wonderful charity, wonderful

hospital. I have lost too many friends to cancer not to do

something about it. I left my chip at home but somebody has given me

another one! Her chip says Mo Farah! All the best.

Good luck to Louise and Bill. Did Bill say Stadium of Light? Is he a

closet Sunderland fan? Maybe he is running to Lisbon. Anyway, well done

to those two. You were not on duty this morning. Steph McGovern, who

was presenting Breakfast this morning, was running as well. So

well done to all of our BBC colleagues, many of whom are based

in Manchester these days. Great to see so many of them out there. And

plenty of other celebs joining the thousands taking part.

That interview with Bill and Louise Minchin was a while ago, because

Louise Minchin is ahead of Bill Turnbull at the moment. An actor who

was in Doctors went through in under 38 minutes. There are some very

quick times. Kevin Kilbane is still got some pace in his legs. He went

through in 33.30, which is very good indeed. But of course, it is not

about times, not for those chaps dressed as lines anyway. It is about

having fun and raising money. And just about everybody will raise a

lot and have a lot of fun for the last 20, 30 or 40 minutes.

This is the world's biggest exercise class! I am not sure they need much

of a warm-up on a day like this, but it is good to see them building the

enthusiasm as they stand there, waiting to be released onto the

streets of Manchester. And Salford, of course. It all goes like

clockwork. You will see different clocks at the finish line, depending

on when they set off. As Andrew was saying, they all have their

individual chips on their shoes, which will give them their exact

finishing time. When they get home today, they can check it all on

various websites. Many people time themselves. Maybe they do not trust

the technology, or like Louise, forget their chip.

the technology, or like Louise, necessary, the warm-up zone, because

you do not want to start a 10K cold. Get those muscles going with the

Greek god S or Mr motivator or the modern equivalent. Move from side to

side, that is important as well. The great thing is that those moves have

not changed in about 30 years. We are just in the middle of the

warm-up. How are you feeling? Fantastic, can't wait to get

started. Who are you running for? I am running for diabetes UK. Is it

your first time running? It is. How has preparation gone? And as Dick, I

have been training with a trainer -- fantastic. So fingers crossed, it

has paid off. Have a good one! Thank you!

The elite women were the first to set foot on the roads of Manchester

this morning . Thousands to follow later on.

As you saw, the elite women got underway earlier and after a delayed

start, it was a quick start for Tirunesh Dibaba, and she did not let

up. Slowed a little in the middle. But nobody was able to catch up with

her. There was a great battle for second place, Gemma Steel of Great

Britain holding off Wanjiku. It was a quick time from her. Windy

conditions. Tirunesh, a great run. How did your

legs recover after London? After London, I prepared for this

competition. Today it is incredibly windy. How was it, cause? The course

is very good, but a little bit of wind. So a not good time. And what

do you think your next race will be? I did not decide. Thanks very much.

Great to see you run. Thank you very much. Gemma, a great run. You must

be delighted after the disappointment of not running

London? I am. I wanted to come back with a bit of a bank and establish

myself in these races again. With the crowd support, I feel at home in

these races. So it is nice to come back and finish behind Tirunesh

Dibaba, the best in the world. Can't complain with that. And talk about

the support you got in the last 100m, when you were getting chased

down? Yeah, that really lifted me. I was fighting for that silver medal.

I am not known for my sprinting! But I pulled it out of the bag. So your

injury is fine now. What is the plan towards doing your first marathon? I

have not got concrete plans yet, and it was a disappointment not to do

London. I am just trying to get my confidence back. It has done my

confidence a world of good today, so I will build on this and see where I

am going. I am looking at half marathons and trying to get my time

down for that first. See what I am capable of. Just carry on enjoying

it. Well done. In the men's race, we were not as

sure about the winner, but we suspected who it might be. It was

interesting to see whether Wilson Kipsang, the marathon winner from

London, could give Kenenisa Bekele something to think about. As soon as

those two started racing, it was down to them. When it got the 400m,

the man who had the pace and the speed was Kenenisa Bekele. He took a

comfortable win in the end with a quick last kilometre. Wilson Kipsang

had to settle for second place, and Mokoka was third. I have first and

second from the men's race alongside me . Ten Anisa Bekele, happy with

that performance? Yes, I am very happy. After I won the Paris

Marathon, this is my first happy. After I won the Paris

Manchester, so I am so happy. Difficult conditions with the wind?

Manchester, so I am so happy. Yes, a lot of wind. I tried to stay

behind a lot of the time. Wilson, second place. Kenenisa got the

better of you today, but this is not really your distance, is it? Yeah,

for me it is really good. After my last marathon, I think it is really

good. This is a short distance for me, but I feel that the speed is

still there. When do you think we might see the two of you racing

together over 26.2 miles? I think this was the start. In the coming

years, I think we shall meet. Are you looking forward to more battles

over longer distance? More races together? Yes. Soon, maybe we have

time. We are the same level. So I think we have many times to compete

with each other. And in terms of your plans for your next races? I

want to run on the track a bit. And Wilson, your next race? I am prepare

in for a half marathon, and later a full marathon. Great race to watch.

We look forward to many more in the future. Thank you. I am happy to be

here. Kenenisa, we are happy that you are here as well.

That ties up the elite race. Now we are going to focus on the masses and

the amazing stories behind the reasons that people run. Wherever

you look, there are stories of incredible courage.

I am Fiona Thistlethwaite. I work as a doctor at the Christie Hospital,

which is a specialist cancer hospital in Manchester . From

university, I decided to take up running again after having children.

I did quite a quick time in the 2013 Manchester 10K. About two weeks

before the run, I found a breast lump. I was not too concerned. I

have had them before and had them checked out and they were benign. It

which he became apparent that this was more serious. And I came away

from that consultation quite certain that this was a cancerous growth,

and that happened a week before the Manchester 10K, so I was left with a

difficult decision about whether to run or not. But in the end, I

decided that I had gone through too many cold winter runs to not run. I

remember standing on the line on the day of the run and at that point, I

promised myself that I would be back for the 2014 run. On the Thursday of

that week, I went straight from my own clinic, seeing patients, went up

a flight of stairs to see the consultant to get the results, and

he said to me, I have got the results from your biopsy, and I'm

afraid it is not good news. So I knew that at that point, my life was

going to change for ever. I went through four months of chemotherapy

and then about a month after that, I had surgery. My treatment is coming

to an end now. I have been able to focus on other things and move on in

my life and start running again. I have managed to persuade 20 or 30 of

my colleagues to join me. So watch out for us, wearing our blue

Christie tops and hopefully, we will get an extra cheer on the way. This

year's Manchester 10K will be my one to say thank you to everyone at

Christie for the support they have given me over the last year. Good

luck, mummy, for your run! One of the first celebrities home, Michael

Gray. Tremendous run, but warm out there today? It is really hot. You

have got to take your fluids on board. People are walking because of

the heat. The currents have come out in their hordes, which is fantastic.

Lots of money is being raised as well. Clearly, you keep fit through

football. Is running part of your regime? I try and stay as fit as I

can. It is easy to give yourself a day off when you are running,

because you are looking after yourself, where is your manager

tells you you have got to train every day. It is difficult to get

into a routine when travelling all over the country. Well done today.

Cheers. Beautiful scenes here in Manchester.

A great run from Michael Gray, but I wonder how 5 Live's George Wylie is

doing. He did a bit of work for us on the highlights programme. More

importantly, he is running for a cause very close to his heart.

Hi, I am George Wylie and I am running the Great Manchester Run for

the Steve Prescott foundation. Steve was a good friend of mine, a

terrific rugby league beer and a legendary charity fundraiser. He

sadly died in November. I'm trying to ensure his legacy lives on and

raise funds for the charity. Steve was diagnosed with a rare form of

stomach can that he fought until the very end . At the time of his

diagnosis, he was given just want to live. He managed seven years. During

that time -- he was given just months to live. He was able to show

his two sons are qualities that are truly important in life. Steve went

down with a real fight and inspired so many. And that is why I have come

to Salford Quays a couple of days before the run to take part in great

run local, a free venture set up for a community of runners who come

together every Thursday night to train and socialise. It is only a

local enterprise at the moment, but there are plans to roll it out

nationally. One of the things I like about running is that it can be a

social event. Training on your own can be lonely and harder to motivate

yourself. If you look around here, there are 50 or 60 people ready to

run together around Salford quays in the sunshine. Why is something like

this popular? I think people are getting into running anyway. And it

is not elitist. You don't have to pay or do any compensated joining

procedure. It is really sociable and a nice opportunity to run with

others. I started running to get healthy. It has had loads of

benefits for me and I have gone on to do longer distances. And my

ambitions have got bigger. I ran a marathon in America in October. And

this is a great local community to run with. I have got friends here.

It gives you lots of company and stops running being boring. I am not

a good runner, but there is always someone behind you. You never feel

like you are the last one, ever. I bet this is the first time you have

been able to run in sunglasses this year. It is indeed! And not the

last. I have been coming down ever since

my mate told me about it, really good fun. Just the canals, crossing

the road, it is really safe and good. We get treated as a race

today! We did, yes. Photo finish! That was great fun. Made a couple of

good friends. It meant I missed the two kilometres, so I have ended at

doing five kilometres. It wasn't in the contractual agreement! But it

was great. A lot of volunteers on the course, giving up their time for

nothing, just applauding you, everyone catching up on making plans

to go for a drink after. And then this at the end, unbelievable.

Really good. So it's not only about the runners

today but the support they So it's not only about the runners

well, who are you here supporting? My brother's children who have

cystic fibrosis. This is their sister who is a carrier of cystic

fibrosis. How much money have you raised? About ?200 off one sponsor

form. So we are doing good. Have a great afternoon! And you. We spoke

to Phil Neville who was looking forward to the occasion, did it live

up to expectations? It was unbelievable. You think you are

doing it just to put a name to the charity but when you see the support

around the track and the swell of support just takes you around. You

can train all you want but when you actually start running in that

crowd, you set off and you think, I am like Seb Coe, I can fly round,

you get to two kilometres and you have nothing left in the tank, it's

a long way! 45 minutes was your time. Yes, I set off to fast, I was

at the front, I wanted to show off to the crowd, and

at the front, I wanted to show off kilometres, it was really hard.

Chester Road wasn't too bad but from about four to seven kilometres, I

was looking for an ambulance about four to seven kilometres, I

point! You about four to seven kilometres, I

you have raised a lot of money about four to seven kilometres, I

Hospital. Thank you. Phil Neville, not looking quite as fresh as

Michael Gray, both of them looking fresher than George Riley who has

just joined me! 49 minutes, how was it? It was nice and cool. I didn't

break sweat at all. It was hot. The support was unbelievable. The

break sweat at all. It was hot. The I found it really tough,

break sweat at all. It was hot. The the Lakes, it was hot, add

break sweat at all. It was hot. The London Marathon, almost as good as

that, the crowd. Absolutely fantastic, brilliant event, I really

enjoyed it. 60 seconds ago, I hated it! Now I absolutely loved it. Talk

about when you are running for something close to your heart. It

keeps you going. I was running for Steve Prescott, my good friend, who

sadly left us in November. Whenever it gets tough going round, I just

thought back to Steve, he was doing ridiculous events, challengers like

this when he was terminally ill. So if my legs are hurting, what must he

have been going through? Immediately that registers, you look around you

and you have people running with tribute and names on their T-shirts.

You get a bit tearful, it keeps you going, pushes you towards the end.

You have a bit of work to do for the highlights? Yes, bit of highlights

and then the Etihad Stadium for the rugby league later. I might try and

squeeze in a drink before! Don't rugby league later. I might try and

tell anyone! As you can see, the finishers are screaming through. One

runner we will be waiting for a long time is Humphrey the Bear, the

mascot for the Children's Hospital. Conditions will be tough for

Humphrey. But this bear has got some skills!

Yes, Humphrey the bear, out dancing somebody from Britain's got talent.

Out there in the burning sunshine. Smarter than the average bear! But

in all seriousness, Humphrey is a massive help to the amazing work the

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital undertake. The kids love Humphrey,

he is an inspirational character, he is loved around the hospital. Their

faces light up when they see him, that's a beautiful sight. I have

been working with Humphrey a lot the past few months. Putting him through

his paces, getting ready for the 10K. He's incredibly excited, he

will be cheering up the elite athletes. Looking to get a better

time than last year. I went to my local hospital for an eye checkup

and suddenly I was having a brain tumour operation. You never know

what's going to happen to you. So I do have a different outlook on life,

never know what's going to happen. I spent three months of school but

then I fully recovered and now I'm raising money for the Children's

Hospital. When our boy was born, he was born five weeks premature. He

had perforated bowels. He ended up in intensive care. They were unsure

if he would make it from Wigan to hear. I got rushed from my local

hospital and the doctors stay by my bedside all night just in case

something happened. That moment will never go. Coming in last night

straight to A, it was brilliant. They were all there as a team, ready

for him. They said, are you happy with what I have done? They promised

me, you will have a little boy. A little monster! I have been backed

hospital for post-care and I can appreciate the work goes into it,

the scans, how talented these people are. I can see that the younger

children around the, their lives have been saved in this hospital,

the talent that is going on is incredible. I am laid-back, I go for

a run if I'm stressed! You just have to look at the kids, if you see them

happy, laughing and well, it is worth it! The hospital have got over

1000 people running them this year. They will be wearing these T-shirts.

The nominated charity this year. It is fantastic. There are about four

of us on this board doing it, we have been separated as we are

different speeds! I had it tattooed on, I thought, what a lovely way it

would be to have a tattoo of Humphrey to remind me of him. It

would be a mascot of the hospital, I thought it would be lovely to have

it done. It's not until today, when I come back and I realise I have

been doing, how I am fully recovered and how fortunate I am to be able to

live was ever a normal lifestyle is! It feels like a second home! I can't

describe it, really. The hairs stand up. My life started when I was 13.

You will get better, you couldn't be in a better place to get better. I

just believe it to go into it thinking, let's get me fixed, then

they will fix you. So many great stories, and that is

one of the printable ones we are covering this year, Humphrey, very

much a one of the principal ones. Tens of thousands of thousands of

them, all running their course. Tens of thousands of thousands of

own personal challenge, to take part in a great event, if they get

themselves fitter than before they started training. Andrew has been

keeping an eye on some of our celebrities. We were looking for

Bill Turnbull, there he is, just crossed the line! He was confused

earlier, he thought he was heading for the Stadium of light! He has

finished three and a half minutes behind Louise Minchin, says she has

the bragging rights, she will be waiting for him! Kevin Kilbane went

off far too fast. He finished in 40.14, struggling home. He has lost

a yard or two of pace. They go out towards the Theatre of dreams. Down

some at Busby Way, that is about the five kilometre mark. Some are

walking already, some running, but a huge field. Most of them, running

for great causes. I hope that is a costume! But again, it's a sense of

personal achievement, some will be pleased with their times, some will

be pleased just to compete. The Italian brothers. They are still

waiting to go off. They send them off in different waves. It's almost

like a few different races. Simply couldn't cram all these 37,000

runners into a 10K course. It is crowded enough as it is. Fascinating

watching the different faces and figures of the people coming across

the finish line. Some have clearly run themselves to a standstill and

collapse. Others have saved quite a bit more for the finish. Big crowd

here in Dean 's gate. This is where bit more for the finish. Big crowd

runners, as they term the last bend. They will keep on coming for the

last two or three hours. One of two waves are still to set. Chris Murray

is running his sixth run, running in aid of the Kirstie Trup, he's

running in a aid of the Kirstie Trup, he's

for this year! -- running in a tutu. have done breakfast proud, I think.

I have done it! That's all that counts, isn't it? You are looking

surprisingly fresh will stop I have seen some struggling people coming

through. Such a hot day. It is a ridiculously hot day, I thought I

would go fast and get out of the heat. I ran in the shade when I can

find it! The showers were amazing. It is a fantastic race, amazing to

run through the city like that. Great atmosphere. Has it surpassed

what you expected? It is a lovely atmosphere. I was with people, one

lady was running in front of me and she stopped every now and again and

I would catch up, eventually we got through together! Absolutely

brilliant run to do. I got to six kilometres, and I thought the next

marker was seven, it was eight and I was like, yes! Maybe I went the

wrong way! Great to hear, you have done wonderfully well. I'm get a

look at my time now. I think everybody is a bit tired. If

you are sitting at home and wondering what these amazing event

are like, you should really enter one of them. They are incredible.

You see the likes of Kenenisa Bekele and Tirunesh Dibaba coming through

the finish, and then the amateur runners like this, running for all

sorts of reasons. One of the things days like today do is challenge your

perception of what is possible when you put your mind to it. I am

running for cancer research in memory of my auntie, who died of

cancer. This is my run. She developed kidney cancer in October

last year, and it quickly developed and spread to her spine and into her

bones. And unfortunately, she died in February this year. Because it

happened so rapidly, I think as a family, we are still coming to terms

with what has happened. We think she would be proud of us doing the run.

She would also feel a bit embarrassed, because she did not

really like attention being drawn to herself. But I know she would be

proud of us and she would be happy that we were all working as a

family. She would be there, supporting us and cheering us on and

probably feeding us during the race as well. I am looking forward to

being able to finally crossed that finish line in my walker, something

I was told I would never be able to do. With me having cerebral palsy, I

have never been able to walk, so it was a massive challenge for me. I

have not been able to walk or run for the past 26 years of my life. I

am going to do about seven kilometres in my chair and the rest

in my walker, which is a really big challenge. I think you should

definitely get up and run, and I expect to see you there next year in

2015, doing the Bupa run. We had a chat with Louise Minchin

earlier from brakers macro. Ill is here now. We spoke earlier and you

talked about the atmosphere. You have experienced it before. How did

this compare previous runs? Every year, when you come back, it feels

better because you feel more familiar and you hear people calling

your name. It was very hot out there but there was a merciful breeze

which cooled you down when you needed it. Otherwise, I would have

been in trouble. Louise came and gave me a hug. She said, I have been

hanging around for a bit, which is the most insulting thing you can

say. She was there, waiting for me. And when you are running around, how

much are you inspired by the people you are running four, Christian your

case? Absolutely. You see the charities cheering people on. When I

got to the people in the blue shirts and they were all going wild, it

really lifts you. It is easy them. Everybody who is here, most of

really lifts you. It is easy them. could do that run, and I hope they

all enter for next year. I told Louise she had done Breakfast proud.

You have as well. Thank you very much. Maybe I will pass her next

year. You might have to do some training, Bill.

Unlike Julie, hitting her second wind, Julie Hesmondhalgh, formerly

of Coronation Street. We will speak to her shortly, but first, here is

why she is running today. Here we are in the beautiful Peak District,

about 25 minutes from Manchester City centre. I am here to meet two

extraordinary people, nickel and Mike Graham, who I am proud to call

my neighbours and friends. Nicola and Mike lost their little boy

Reuben to a brain tumour 20 months ago. We had gone on holiday to

Devon, camping with our boys. Reuben had been a bit unwell for a couple

of weeks, sick and poorly. And he had a little fall and became very

unwell. We took him to the A department at Barnstaple, thinking

it was just a total of four, but nobody could have known what was

happening in his little head. He was only 23-month-old. As our week

unfolded, we discovered Reuben had a rare and aggressive brain tumour,

and we lost him a week after diagnosis. We lost Reuben at nine

o'clock at night on the 21st. By the 23rd, we have launched our Facebook

page. Our aim is to raise ?1 million in 23 months. That was how long we

had Reuben. We are now 20 months into the journey, and we have raised

sufficient funds to buy Reuben's Retreat, which will be a home from

home for children with life-threatening illness, a place

for them to stay and take respite breaks. It will also serve as a

bereavement counselling and support centre for parents and those who

lose a child, and for siblings. Obviously, I am running the

Manchester 10K, along with three others on Sunday from Reuben's

Retreat. Shall we have a look at what the fundraising has produced so

far? And what we need more for! Yes, let's. On the 23rd of April this

year, we opened Reuben's Retreat. What a fantastic building. It is an

empty shell at the moment, so there are a lot of funds that need to be

raised. So in 23 months, we want to make ?1 million. But is Reuben's

legacy. We are 20 months in. How much have you raised now? We have

raised just over ?750,000. That is extraordinary. For me as a mum, and

all the mums in our community say this, if something like this

happened to you, you would just stay in bed for the rest of your life.

The fact that you two have achieved this incredible thing in such a

short amount of time... I always said Reuben's Retreat would be built

on love and compassion and generous and kind-hearted people. The whole

charity is built on that. What a legacy. A lot of people say how

proud they are. But it is not our dream. Our green would be to have

our boy back at home, and he is not coming home, so this is our vision

of his legacy. We have had some incredible support. We just need

more get the project finish. Three months to raise 250,000, starting

with the Manchester 10K. Please get on board with any help! It is an

amazing charity. Good luck with it. Lovely story of how you can turn the

deepest sadness into something very positive. Alongside me, having begun

her sprint for the line and made it through, Julie. I was overambitious

on that last sprint! I had to slow down. So how was the run, first time

you have done something like this? It is the first time I have ever run

this far and the first time I have done the Manchester 10K. What a city

this is. The support all the way round, they played some good

Manchester tunes. The brass band, the steel band, the atmosphere has

been amazing. I was thinking about Reuben all the way round, and it

kept me going. Seeing everybody running for Christie and the

children's hospices, all the charities, you really feel part

children's hospices, all the something amazing. I am really

privileged to be here. And very proud of your neighbours and what

they have done in memory of Reuben. They are incredible people. Mike,

Reuben's dad, was running today. He will have had Reuben as the wind

beneath his wings. We had over 300 runners today, so we hope we have

roosted the fundraising to complete the retreat by the deadline. I am

just so happy to have been part of it and to finish it. I have a

feeling you might be back for a few more years! I

feeling you might be back for a few now! Right now, though, I need a big

party and we! A lady my age should not be going this long without a

toilet. Anyway, well done! Phil Jones, who is with Reuben's mum,

Nicola. I have got some of the Reuben's Retreat gang with me. We

have featured them throughout the programme. Amy Kelly from Coronation

Street, plays Maddie. This is your support team, your mum here. You are

looking really freshfaced compared to some. I am glad I looked, because

I don't feel it! That shower was the best thing ever. How tough was it?

More tough than I thought, but I just taste myself. Everybody

More tough than I thought, but I at it other walking and we were

like, come on, guys, keep doing. Hello! Kisses all round. What a

bonus. I will hang out with you lot more often! Let's have a word with

mum. How proud are you? Immensely proud. You can't put it into words.

Well done, all for Reuben. It is a great cause. It is an emotional day,

isn't it? Really emotional. We have come a long way. Reuben moved to

heaven in August 2012, and I can't believe how much we have achieved in

such a short space of time. We have raised three quarters of a million

in 20 months, and we have got over 300 runners today, turning

Manchester blue. We are so proud. We know Julie Hesmondhalgh has done a

piece for us today. She has unwell. Between you, you have done Reuben

proud. Thank you. Yes, well done to Julie and the

family and everybody raising funds for Reuben's Retreat. Now they

really are starting to come across the finishing line. It is starting

to look congested in Deansgate as more and more finally get to where

they have been aiming at. You can see the different times there. The

men's elite race started one hour and 15 minutes ago. Thanks for

sending in all of the messages. You are seeing them streaming across the

bottom of the screen. And hopefully, you have been able to say hello or

support somebody who is out there today. A very communal feel at these

runs. If you want to do one, find one near you on the internet. There

are a couple of good running sites that will send you in the direction

of your nearest local one. Whether it is a flat course or a mixed

course or a hilly course, whatever you want to do. We have still got

the green wave and the pink wave to go. And the temperature continues to

rise. You want to get in one of the earlier waves, but the breeze is

still strong as well. That has been a help. It will keep people cooler

than they might have been. The breeze helps keep the temperature

down. It will be welcome for many people out there. People are out

there for an hour and a half, and if you are wearing a costume, good luck

to you. This is the most opulent distance, 10K. It is far enough to

say it is an endurance test, but it will not do damage to you and you

don't have to do the same kind of training you do for a marathon. That

is true, but hopefully, people have done a bit of training. Even a 10K

can be a real test of endures. And in temperatures like today, you have

people have come prepared. But you are right, it is something you can

set yourself to do as a challenge without having to do months and

months of training. I have been joined by Jerry Ward.

Tell us about these fabulous runners you have got surrounding you? These

are some of the guys that have helped me get through serious

spinal-cord injury. Seven years ago, I was swimming in the sea in

Mexico, and got knocked over by a wave and broke my neck. And from

there, it was three months in intensive care on a life-support

ventilator. Mostly in the Salford will hospital. I had two years in

hospital, but this is the seventh time now these guys have helped me

get round the course, with the help of the fantastic organisers of the

great run. Each year, we try and raise funds for different charities.

My son is insulin-dependent, so we have always raised for diabetes UK.

There is nearly always something to do with spinal injury. This year,

the spinal injuries Association have always helped me. And there is

another charity who provide help for people to go flying with all kinds

of different disabilities. Most of my team have a flying background. I

was working as an airline pilot at Manchester before my accident, for

Thomas Cook. And I was a fighter pilot in the RAF before then. 20

years ago, I took Hazel Irvine in a tornado supersonic for Children In

Need. So we have always done things for charity. But what a great event

visitors. -- this is. It really is. How much money are you trying to

read today? As much as possible. But you are going to have fun. Give us a

cheer. It is

look, there are people running for amazing reasons and incredibly

humbling reasons as well. A lovely story about a dad running for his

little girl. Doing the Manchester 10K run with

some of my friends from high school and college, basically, they

initially started running it in aid of my daughter Molly. Around 18

months ago we noticed she was falling over a lot more at school.

She was in the accident book almost every day, we thought it was simply

a case of short-sightedness submitted to the opticians. They

then told us they could see a pigment at the back of her I and

they diagnosed it, it is causing her to lose her site over a period of

time. My friends wanted to help in any way they could, giving her some

life enhancing experiences. So they contacted us, they asked if we

wanted to join them, I jumped at the chance of it. He is going to be

doing the big one! Yes! She loves this need princesses like any little

girl. Snowwhite... Rapunzel... They came up with helping us to raise

money towards the cost of going to Disneyland. Started off raising the

money for that, and it snowballed from there, it has gone from being

able to help towards the cost of that to now being at the point where

we can pay for things for her, she can experience so much that we never

thought we would be able to give her.

She knows there is an issue, I don't think she knows the full extent of

how it's progressing and what it means for the future. But she knows

that she can't always see things that are out of her per referral

vision. She knows that as a result of the issues with her eyes. But

generally, she's such a bright, adventurous child but I don't think

it's going to be a hindrance, it'll be something to push her in the

future to do a lot more. Just thought of taking it one day at a

time, really, we can't change anything at the moment, we have to

just make the most of the now really and enjoy the positives while we

can. And here is Chris Foster Powell are you feeling? A little nervous,

but excited. There are six of us here, a few other people in

different waves are running as well, it's quite a good following today.

We have our supporters in the crowd as well. Molly is here, she will

hopefully see me set off but she will be at the finish line to cheer

hopefully see me set off but she me on. I am looking forward to that.

You have raised a staggering amount of money so far. Yes, last, that

this morning it was over ?62,000, going from what we initially set as

2500. We have smashed that. It is overwhelming. You have a lot of your

friends here. Tell us about this overwhelming. You have a lot of your

man, he has been a star. I have known him since we were free, all

through high school, known him since we were free, all

do, we will do to help out. It makes a big difference. Molly is so proud

of you, I'm sure. a big difference. Molly is so proud

you very much. More from Denise and Phil Jones later, but Steve Cram and

Paula Redcliff are joining me up here in my windy position. To have a

look back at what has happened. here in my windy position. To have a

We saw the start of something which could be a special rivalry. It is

always interesting when you get to people coming from every disciplines

with the great ability both of them have, especially when one is

stepping into the other's territory. The adjusting thing

stepping into the other's us is, where does Kenenisa Bekele go

next? -- interesting thing. He says he wants to run on the track

next? -- interesting thing. He says summer. When you move up to the

marathon, there is always that fall back to the track as well. So he has

some decisions to make. Kipsang now knows that when Bekele moves up,

don't leave it till the finish! What you make of that race and how it

played out? Dumais, it is clear that didn't believe he did challenge

Bekele over 10K. He did the things that he needed to do but it didn't

push in that hard. It will be interesting to see if the marathon

strength that Bekele has built up over the winter come into play onto

the track? For me I was able to, and I believe that is what we will see

from Mo Farah and Christensen as well. It will be nice to see Bekele

do that too. Was it a failed experiment for Mo Farah, not to put

too fine a point on it? Know, all experiments are about finding out

something. If we always knew an outcome, sport would be boring. But

everybody wants to test themselves, it was about finding out comedy

found out that the marathon is, of course, and if he is going to do it

in the future, yes to really focus on that. He did for a bit, the good

news is, for me anyway, he's coming back to the track in the summer and

we will see him in the Commonwealth Games, which is brilliant news, and

at the end of the year he will have to go and sit down and think, the

next two years of my career are important. I can still win medals on

the track, does he take the risk that the marathon always has? It is

a risky event to go into a Championships four. Could he go to

the Olympics and contest the marathon? I am not sure London gave

us all the answers to that, so he has a bit of an issue with that. He

selected himself for the Commonwealth Games, he will have to

wait back! He hasn't committed on the event. People are looking at the

5000 and 10,000 of course, but I believe he could go in and run well

at 1500 Metres. Did you watch the race the other night? I think you

are right, he has run 3.28 at the 1500, but the championships are

different. He has the pace to contest it, it would be a bit of fun

but if we want to see him win a gold medal, if I were him, I would go for

the five or ten but that will be tough against the Kenyans! That

won't be easy, the Kenyans will come their informality will have to have

recovered fully from London and then able to get the quality work in full

stop will he have the exchanger runs last the rounds? But if it goes

tactical, he will struggle. Yesterday, your handbrake run well,

but thinking about the Commonwealth Games, Kristin Ohuruogu is not

looking in the best of shape. She says she will be running relays,

denting she is going at it for pounds this year, she turned 30 this

year. When you are older... You do have to think about that. I think

she is doing the right thing, have to think about that. I think

has the worlds next year, Olympics to come. The me, the Commonwealth

Games, you have the hurdles, people were looking for times as well.

People may or may not be aware that the team will be picked on June the

2nd, no trials. So people are desperate to get early season

performances because everybody wants to be in Glasgow. The other big

story is Greg Rutherford, the British record, that's back with

Chris Tomlinson, it makes for interesting viewing if nothing else.

I am sure they were checking the plasticine properly yesterday and

using it properly! The controversies are always going to happen when you

have got smaller meet! Run like that and rivalry built up. I guess for

Greg, there was always the question about not winning the Olympics with

the big jump, that was massive game. He went there in 2012 and he called

the British record in the same meat and the same place at the same time

of year. -- he called. He then went on and won the gold medal. People

will be looking for the fact that that 8.51 gives them the confidence.

There wasn't any plasticine there, which was the controversy. But he

knows he can jump that sort of distance. What he will want to do

now is come back this summer and the next couple of years and reproduce

that in the Championships. Talking about head to heads, with your

handbrake getting back to some sort of him beating Usain Bolt is

something we all relish. Yes, I chatted to Yohan Blake last night,

him and his coaches are saying that he's building slowly. He says he is

about 80% fit, that wasn't bad for somebody who is 80% fit! He will get

better as the year goes on. He's only going to run seven or eight

races this year, maybe the Commonwealth games, fingers crossed.

When they do come together, Usain Bolt will hopefully start a race in

the next month or so, expect something good. But Blake will be

tough this year. A quick word on the controversy surrounding the Tyson

Gay judgement, his ban reduced for a year for cooperating with the

authorities, what do you make of that? I think in some respects, we

have to wait and see what the information is that he has dished to

the anti-doping authorities, to merit that reduction. For me, it is

a big reduction. At a time when we're talking about increasing the

band, to four years, to then cut it to one year for essentially a

steroid offence, it is a big cut. We hope it's a huge amount of

information that has been given. A lot of the breakthroughs in

anti-doping have been through that kind of information dishing, people

sending samples that way rather than advances in the testing. It is not

exactly a high deterrent. But we may have to get used to it because...

They have said they could get rid of your whole ban. You could get 100%

forgiveness for the right information, because they really do

need that intelligence now. You and I would argue about whether... It

needs to be very, very good information to somebody got to

receive a ban or not. People are going to be trading information when

they get caught for a more lenient sentence. Thanks for a much indeed.

You can see the runners, still streaming through here. Lots still

on the course for sure. There is one couple with a combined age of 168

years old, run and Elsie. My name is wrong, I'm 85 years old,

I am the oldest competitor in this race. -- run. My name is Elsie, I'm

83 years old. This is my 10th time in the Barclays Premier League.

I first started running when I was 74. I wanted something to do. And it

was so easy to do something, you don't need a track, you can go to a

park. That's why I started to take up this running. We do train a lot,

we do keep fit, I do line dancing. We train at Manchester City's sports

ground with a personal trainer. I always taken the prior to the race,

two rounds of toast with strawberry jam on. That's immediately before

the race. I don't like pasta, people are telling me I should be eating

pasta. So I never even that. We do run together but we also separate at

times. Last, I was virtually ten minutes in front of him but what I

did, when we were getting towards the end, I sat out at one side and

waited for Roddy to come. So we finished approximately the same

time. This year, providing Ronnie and I feel that he is going to cope

with a bad knee, I'm hoping to carry on and not have to wait for him!

Hopefully! Post race, a cup of coffee in the

nearest restaurant. Seven members of the family are doing it, but others

will be on the sidelines, cheering us on. It is a fabulous experience,

especially when you see the crowds on Portland Street. The first time I

did it, it was amazing. Whether we will keep on running, as Riley said,

this is the 10th. It would be nice to think we could. But looking into

the future, who knows at RH? -- at our age. We are not looking to buy

our down yet, but if we offered enough, why not? Keep on going.

Lovely couple, Ron and Elsie. She was always running half a step of

her husband, Ron. We will catch up with them in the highlights

programme. So, yesterday was also the Great Manchester Run mini run as

well as the City Games. There was one very brave young man who was

both starting it and running it. I am Charlie Worley, and I am five.

It was a night in January. We were due to go on holiday, and I heard

the most horrific screen. I have never, ever heard a scream like it.

And I ran to where the sound was, and he was on the floor in the

kitchen. He must have gone in, and I had left the handle of the pot over

my little baby boy, and he had tipped it over. It is like you go

into some sort of out of body experience. You know you have got to

win the ambulance and get the clothes of him, and I knew I had to

get cold water on him. He was hysterical. As I was taking his

clothes off, his skin was peeling off in my hands. It was very

frightening. We got to the local hospital, and the bed was surrounded

by staff. They could not tell me he was going to be OK, and that was

when it hit me that we could lose him here. They said, as soon as he

is stable, we will transfer you to Manchester Children's Hospital. It

was about 10:30pm. We got to Manchester, and there was instant

calm. There was no frenzy, they knew exactly what they had to do, which

was really reassuring to me as a mother. It was the first time since

the accident that there was an inkling of hope that he was going to

be OK. The first thing they did, he had a blue rabbit comfort toy, and

the first thing they did was take that away from him. He had never

slept without it from being a tiny baby. This is one of the reasons to

raise money for the burns unit, the need for specialised toys in there.

I am running to raise money for need for specialised toys in there.

burns unit at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. I think the one

is going to be quite hard. -- the run. He is ambitious and determined.

He has got grit in his belly. At only five, he has got a really high

pain threshold because of what happened to him. It feels tremendous

to be here to be able to say thank you to the consultants, the doctors

and nurses who saved his life. I have just finished the Great

Manchester Run mini run and it was brilliant. Charlie was running

yesterday, and mum Michelle is running today. She is with me. How

was the run? It was fine. I have realised I am no good at running!

Amazing to be part of such a special event, but I am not a runner.

Everybody at home will have been watching that the tea. I almost

could not watch that BT, I had a lump in my throat as it was very

emotional. But it had a happy ending and it looks like Charlie is doing

well. He is testament to the work they do at the hospital. He is

loving today so much that he did not want to come to the finish line,

because he wanted to cheer everybody running. He is testament to the

fantastic work they didn't. It looked like he did a good one as

well. He is as strong as an ox. He is a really fit, healthy young boy.

Will he have to have further operations, or can he live a normal

life now? We are not sure what the future holds, because he has got a

skin graft which does not stretch like normal skin does, so he has to

have daily physiotherapy cream and a massage. It is right over his

shoulder, which is a major joint in your body, so we have to stretch it

and he may need further skin grafts as he grows older because he was

though tiny when it happened. We will cross those bridges when we

come to them. When you see him, said he was very cool to turn down a TV

opportunity. I know! He will regret this for the rest of his life. Well

done today. We are going to head back to the start now, where Denise

is an thing by. I have got with me a very brave and

courageous lady, Rebecca Whiteley. Tell us about your story. I was

diagnosed with a red type of cervical cancer in February last

year, so I underwent surgery and had chemotherapy and radiation therapy

at the Christie Hospital, and got the all-clear in October last year.

So I am running for them. Reading through your information, you

actually wanted to be fitter than you have ever been before and that

is your inspiration for being here? I was feeling fit before and I got

ill, and when you go something like that, you have to take life by the