Great North Run Highlights Athletics

When I first started this event, the biggest event in Britain, and in our

first year we had 11,000. More than anyone could ever have believed.

Just incredible. I've seen it before, but it is ordinary people

doing extraordinary things. COMMENTATOR: They come from the UK

and Europe and all over the world to take part. A great race and a great

victory for a great champion. 1 million runners and 1 million

stories and a million smiles, as well. People are asking if we are

going to do it next year, but to be understood we have no choice. A

joyous celebration of the area and spirit.

What you had for breakfast. I've got a spare kidney if you want one. I

love the quayside. It is the world's favourite run. I will put my name in

the ballot. Life is full of ups and downs. The best thing I have ever

said yes to. It is the people. I always run. Welcome to highlights of

the 2016 Great North Run and this is the 36th addition, which will be

greater and more international than ever before -- edition. Alongside Mo

Farah, 57,000 runners from no less than 178 different countries. All

tackling the world's biggest half marathon, 13.1 miles from Newcastle

to the seaside, South Shields. This is a taste of what is to come. Mo

Farah is back in Newcastle and we will hear from him as he goes for a

hat-trick of wins here. The big head-to-head in the women's race,

Vivian Cheruiyot taking on Tirunesh Dibaba. We have the incredible story

of Claire Lomas who has tackled the course over five days using

specially built robotic legs. And we have a journey into the dark history

of the 13.1 mile course. And we hear some of the many stories from the

thousands out on the course today. Mo Farah arrived safe and sound with

the other elite runners. But he's not the only one from his family in

action. Tania Sarries taking on the course, as well, his wife, not a bad

partner to have -- Tania Faro. Claire Lomas in 2007, she fell off a

horse at a cross-country event and was left paralysed from the chest

down, but she is determined to finish this cause over five days,

with the aid of special robotic legs. Her epic journey started on

Wednesday and we have been with her every step of the way. In kind of

movement and sensation I have nothing from the chest down and I

did not know what the future would hold, I did not know you could be

happy and paralysed, it was a very scary time. I thought I would not be

able to meet someone who would want someone in a wheelchair and I felt

very low. But then I met down and live started to pick up -- Daniel

and life started to pick up and then the Maisie came along a couple of

years later. To be out on this challenge, I could do all of this,

but it would not be the same if I did not have the people around me

that I got around me. The reason I'm doing the Great North Run is to

raise money for the spinal foundation. It was tough after my

accident but then I saw people with neck injuries and it made me wanted

to start fundraising because my entry is nothing compare to a neck

injury. -- my injury. I got use of my arms. Walking a few miles a day

is the toughest thing I've done, really hard, my shoulders and arms

are so tired, they feel like they weigh a tonne already. There has

been quite a few tears because it has been very hard and also people's

reactions. Children turning up from schools with banners, telling me I

can do it, just at the point when I think I can't. And then I realised

the children are telling me I can. I've enjoyed seeing them but it also

makes you feel emotional. There is a huge concert taking place tonight in

Newcastle, it is the great North after party, if you will. The Kaiser

Chiefs will be headlining. It is all getting a bit rock and roll. Ricky

Wilson is here. The Ricky Wilson fan is over there. CHEERING

I feel like I'm in one direction, I like it. What about the sunshine.

Beautiful and crisp, perfect running conditions. But you are not running?

No, of course not, I forgot my kit. But peanut is running? Yes. This is

for three charities. There is a sense around here in the north-east

-- they say centre. All in the area? Yes, we are keeping the money here,

and I think that gives people the incentive to try a bit harder, we

are keeping the money here and we are very proud to be part of this.

You have come on a tour bus? We haven't slept. We played in Berlin

last night and then we got a flight and now we have been on the tour

bus. I'm very proud of it. He is having a banana. Give us a wave,

peanut. There he is. It looks like he will smash this course. He is

hoping to do it under one hour 40, but it depends how me autographs in

will have to sign. I'm actually quite jealous. You said that, maybe

you could get some kit on, it's not too late. But I have got to run

around at the arena. He is the keyboard player, he will just sit

down. You are going to do some work for us? Yes, my TV career is really

taking off. If you are working for BBC sport, you know you have made

it. The great North run is -- the Great North Run has attracted

runners from all over the world, they aim to attract as many

international runners as possible, and we have 93% of the United

Nations countries represented, so I would say that this mission

accomplished. Germany. USA. Dortmund, Germany. County Mayo, west

coast of Ireland. Beautiful Stockholm, Sweden. The Netherlands.

County Tipperary. The Netherlands. From Switzerland. Toronto, Ontario,

Canada. We are representing the United States of America. The French

out. Connecticut, USA. See you in Newcastle at the Great North Run.

I'm with two of our great world runners and you are both looking

very colourful. Who are you representing? Grenada. We know all

about the great James, why did you want to be here? I live in the

north-east and I have always wanted to do the Great North Run and here I

am today, given the opportunity, I am excited, just to let everybody

know where Grenada is, a beautiful island in the Caribbean and I want

everyone to enjoy Grenada. Nicole, you have travelled from

Lichtenstein. Can you tell us about your country. It is a tiny country

between Switzerland and Austria and I'm sure that not many people know

about it. That is why I'm here, I want to represent it. If more people

get to know Lichtenstein. You speak German? We speak a German dialect,

like Swiss people, but we write in German. The official language is

German. Howell excited are you to be part of this great event? -- how

excited. It is amazing, so many people here, more people than we

have inhabitants in Lichtenstein, we have 37,000 inhabitants, but here we

have 57,000 people taking part in the Great North Run. You have done

your homework. Very good. It is great that you are representing your

country, have a very good afternoon. From the global back to the local,

Sunderland born writer who is known for the horrible histories series,

he is taking part in his 20th run and he has actually written a

horrible histories telling the history of the course itself. Can I

thank you as a parent, it is just incredible, horrible histories. You

buy the books, so I should be thanking you. They have been a

phenomenal success, bringing history alive for so many young people, but

you are here as a veteran of the Great North Run. Veteran, that

sounds better than an old so-and-so. This is my 20th at the age of 70. It

is a wonderful experience. For club runners like myself, this is

something to aim for every year. You are running for a special cause? The

Viking centre, they were flooded out last year. Usually I run for

children with disabilities but now we have a history one and they need

to rebuild the Viking centre, which inspired me when I first looked at

it. I've been there may times, an amazing place. We are making using

for your supper, you have produced five excellent films which have

documented some horrible histories along the 13th .1 mile course. The

first one is about something just over there, isn't it?

The Great North Run starts just over there along Newcastle's Tyne more

and this was once the most horrible place in this city because this is

where criminals were executed in public. The innocent as well as the

guilty. The worse perversion of justice was in 1650, a witch finder

arrived from Scotland and offered to root out any witches. The Puritan

city Corporation were thrilled, they sent out a man with a bell who

invited anyone to name the person they suspected. 30 accused were

tested by the witch finder, he stripped them to look for which

marks, blemishes on the skin. He pricked the blemishes and if they

bled they were innocent, but if they didn't bleed they were guilty. And

sentenced to hang. Of course it was a fake sleight of hand, the witch

finder was being paid 20 shillings for every which he found, 13 women

and one man were hanged here at the gallows and thousands turned out to

watch. You will be pleased to hear the witch finder was suspected of

fraud and arrested in Scotland, he confessed to sending 220 people to

their deaths and he was hanged. It's a sort of justice, but no

consolation for his innocent victims or their families. Until the middle

of the 1800s this patch of land continued to be used for public

executions. The Eastgate of the city was known as the gallows gate. To

this day Newcastle United football club still has the Gallowgate end.

So you are a Newcastle United supporter? No, I'm from Sunderland,

I'm a black cat. Black cat? Witch! The race is not far away, the

runners are gathering in their thousands,. Ricky Wilson from the

Kaiser Chiefs is out and he has tracked down his team-mate and

band-mate Pete at who is embarking on his debut run. -- a nut. You are

running the Great North Run for three great charities, and we have

joined forces to keep the money in the north-east. Tell me more.

I am running for the Graham Wylie Foundation to build a building in

Newcastle. Also to do the Rankin rock gig at the arena. It is like

the official after show, we will have a good night, very proud. Last

night we were playing in Berlin. By Peter-macro all correct, you are

here running. Very little sleep. I have never done anything like it.

The number of people, getting a feel for the course, cannot wait to get

going. I'm jealous, feeling the atmosphere, I want to get running.

Covered in gasoline. You are going to run it for me, have a good time

Peanut. Runners of all shapes and sizes, all kinds of experience

taking to the course. Mark is just one of them. Race number 14. What

keeps bringing you back? The atmosphere, great crowd, Newcastle,

lovely people. You have some serious running to do, good luck. Thank you

for talking to us. The elite women's race likely to be dominated by

Vivian Cheruiyot and Tirunesh Dibaba. Both looking for the

knockout blow today. The crowd rise in the home straight.

So they should. Majestic performance from the Queen of distance running.

Cheruiyot smelt blood, when she passed, no way for the field to come

back. The rest of the field will not be

able to believe it, what they have just taken part in. These women are

the best in their field. The elite women have the roads all

to themselves to begin with. Seb Coe, big smile. Come on, Seb A lot

of support for the women. Women making up 50% of the main field for

the Great North Run. A small contingent choosing to take part in

this elite race. A view others to look for. Ali Dixon, representing

Great Britain in the marathon. In the blue, Sunderland stroller, with

the sunglasses, Gemma Steel, Charlotte Perdue. One of our bright

young talents. Trying to move up, to make the team in Rio, in the

marathon. Susan Partridge, as well. Interesting to watch how the British

runners do. The day like this, good weather, slight following breeze,

almost perfect conditions for running fast, if they choose to.

Intriguing race for Cheruiyot and Tirunesh Dibaba. Vinnie Partridge,

she could well go pretty good today. -- Lily Partridge. If we are

thinking like times, I'm not sure whether they are, Dibaba and

Cheruiyot. The win in the last two years, 65.14. Not sure we're going

to see that. Let's hope for a quick race. This is what they have ahead

of them, should be pretty familiar. Overall, the elevation profile, they

dropped in distance. Nice downhill section over the Tyne Bridge. Then

over the Gateshead International Stadium. Pass the crowds. At about

six miles, taking the turn, passed my old track in Jarrow. They turn

right, at the John Reid Road. Dragging up towards South Shields,

they will be able to smell the seafront. And find us at the finish.

John Culshaw, how are you doing? I have been involved with various

marathon sessions, usually in a pub. This is a half marathon, for

charity, are you excited? I'm nervous, in a good way. The spirit

is amazing. Everybody sparing each other run, I will rely on that. When

you run around, people cheer you on, gives you a lift. You're doing it

for a good run. John Egin Trust, the Red Arrows

pilot who lost his life a few years ago. It is there to mental young

people. Amazing event, all about the spirit of being together. How are

you going to get through this? Channelling any runners. I have been

listening to Brendan faster making his commentaries. Lord Sebastian

Coe, watching Steve Ovett and him that inspired me to join the school

cross-country dream. I have been running on and off. Doing the

Blackpool ten kilometres 80 times. Hopefully a good experience. And

when I need to be fast I will challenge Michael Johnson, be a

sprinter, go for the line, a sense of occasion, hell, yes. John,

everybody. Very important cause. Thank you very much. So, they have

come up the fairly steep rise onto the Tyne Bridge. Crowds gathering,

great vantage point. A lot of them, once we see them, they will see

people from watching them going by. Those people may try to get out of

the finish. There they go, crossing the Tyne Bridge. Famous site. Group

of distance runners, of great repute. Eventually we will see the

masses there. If you look at the field, you would look at the

competition. Times in a half marathon, we have seen some

wonderful times around this course. When you look at Vivian Cheruiyot

entry nicht above, two that the world has my greatest distance

runners. Finishing second and third in the Olympic Games in the 10,000

metres, you imagine that he comes first between those two will win the

race. Tirunesh Dibaba noticing Vivian Cheruiyot, following the

leader closer. Gets into closer order. As we look down on the elite

women from all the great achievements you will see and hear

about. Clare Latimer suffered serious injuries falling from a

horse-macro, paralysed from the chest down. On Wednesday she started

the Great North Run course, wearing robotic legs. Deliberate and

difficult effort. She has completed the Great North Run. After five

days. She has done the London Marathon. Raising half ?1 million

for spinal research. She is also expecting her second child. Colin

Jackson giving her middle. Never has it been so richly deserve. How

fantastic does it feel. Amazing, worn out. It has been hard. The

support. Great North Run team. The people supporting me, my support

team, donations. Down holding the upright. It is very clearly. It has

been tough, everybody helped me to get through. It has been amazing.

Mum and dad. Congratulations, well done. Get the support from the

crowd, you thoroughly deserve it. Thank you so much. The elite male

runners are nearly ready to go. Mo Farah aiming for his third

consecutive Great North Run title. With four Olympic golds to his name,

Phil Jones went to see if he's showing would continue to date. --

his show would continue to date. When does it sink reality? It takes

a while, you get back home. I watched back the race, really, I did

that? Incredible from Mo Farah. A kid he started from the age of 12,

having the ambition, watching the Olympics in Sydney. Telling

yourself, one day I want to become Olympic champion. Doing it in your

hometown, later on four years later. Incredible, not a word to explain

it. London 2017? Thinking about 2017, I get nervous and excited. I

would like to be able to end my career on the track on a high. Such

a perfect ending. It never goes to plan. The months leading up to it,

you get little niggles. You fall. I was panicking. People may not see

it, I thought my race is done. When I trained for finish. Three or four

lapse later I got back into it. Galen rap talking to me, telling me

you are getting back into it. Giving me the thumbs up. The crowd on their

feet, Mo Farah wins the Great North Run. You have won the last two

years. Nobody winning three in a row? It will be hard, hopefully

enjoy it, use the crowd as much as I can. We have two 's special

starters, David Rudisha, and Amy Tinkler. The 2016 Great North Run

under way. Mo Farah, the red-hot favourite. I'm sure all of these

people will go home tonight, saying I raced Mo Farah. One great part of

these big races you get to the line-up with the best of the world.

You may not see much of them, but at least you can say he started the

race with them. The way they go. The Central motorway, winding its way

through the centre of Newcastle city centre. Down to the Tyne Bridge.

Quickstart for them, the women at this point, making their way towards

White Mare pool. They were taken there. Turning towards the seafront.

As they approach six miles. The men, we will see how they go through the

first mile. 4.30 to. That is pretty quick. I was talking to the leader,

the first thing he said, Mo must be tired. He says, he's going to give

him a run for his money. At the end of the day we will find out as the

miles unfiled, Tautai Mo Farah is as they leave the city centre, crossing

the Tyne Bridge, heading towards South Shields, where we are waiting

on the finish line with thousands of people. There is data and

Ritzenhein. Mo Farah Tommy Hayes is will be sought. They are roaring

him. Dathan getting ready to make a race of this. Chris Thompson just

behind him. Pretty good pace early in the men's race. As they come

across the Tyne Bridge on a beautiful day. They will have time

for the view. Great day looking up and down the river. Yesterday with

the death of the city games. The quayside was absolutely rammed. We

have been blessed with the weather this weekend, that is wonderful.

The news of the women's race. They went for 54 through the seventh mile

and then the same, that really is quick running -- 454. Dibaba is

definitely struggling and maybe Cheruiyot is sensing that, keeping

the pace going. Cheruiyot looks very good, very easy. On her debut, itchy

either thinks she will sit back -- she is either thinks she will sit

back or she will go out with the attitude that she has nothing to

lose, if she gets it wrong first time, it is her debut, but she is in

the best shape she has ever been and she's enjoying her run out there.

Her first real experience of a mass road race and the support you can

get and the boost that can give you a the route. The finish of the

wheelchair race and it was a very close race indeed. Mark Telford,

just taking it, ahead of Bret Crossley, who was closing in on the

way. Mark Telford went out early and took the lead and built it up, Bret

Crossley was closing in, but Mark Telford, the man from Perth in

Scotland, he takes it, ahead of the Leeds athlete Bret Crossley. He came

very close to going to the Olympics in Rio, as well, Bret Crossley. But

that is the winner the wheelchair event, Mark Telford. Cheruiyot, you

could see she was feeling good, but then she backed off. Subtle mind

games. Coming off the incline, Dibaba sensed that Cheruiyot had

made a move and she was backing off a little bit, so she glided

alongside her as if to say, I'm still here. She is still here and

able to stretch it out, but now she has let her know she will drop to

the back of the group again. A bit of daylight opening up between

herself and Dibaba. So, the mens rea is, down to three already. Chris

Thompson has dropped off and this is a good pace being set by Ritzenhein

-- the men's race. He has finished third in the Great North Run before,

and now he's doing what he said he would do, making Mo Farah run for

his money. The men's race is down to three and we have just seen the

women's phased out of three, this is now getting competitive, and I'm

impressed with Ritzenhein. Running impressively and strongly and

running well. Meanwhile, at the Tyne bridge, great friends of the Great

North Run, the red arrows, flying overhead. Honouring this event with

their fly past as they have done now for so many years. All the way back

to 2002, they have come every year and they are the real welcome

indeed. A resplendent day such as we have on Tyneside, we have a

spectacular view of their skill and expertise and we will see more of

them later on. We are looking at the chasing Dibaba, keeping her eyes

firmly fixed ahead, the gap has not grown much at all, but she is an

outstanding athlete. Normally you would say she has no chance from

this position, but you can never say that with her. Developments in the

men. No more Emmanuel Bett. Ritzenhein, maybe a patch when he

was not feeling too good, but he has really picked up the pace and he has

thrown in hard miles in the middle-of-the-road 's. Mo Farah,

though, sticking to him like glue -- in the middle of the race. He is

doing a great job, Ritzenhein, 42.36 through 15 K, that is pretty good

running from the American. Many American fans wanted to see him do

well and wanted to see him make the team for the Olympics in Rio, and it

would have been suffer him to watch Galen Rupp winning his medal, I'm

sure. It was very tough for Ritzenhein, he had cramping issues

and I'm not sure he was able to finish the trial, but he was not

able to do himself justice and that was very hard for him, he knew that

was his last real shot at making the US Olympic team. He has bounced back

from that and has gone away and trained hard over the summer. He

will have been pleased to see Galen Rupp, forming training partner of

his, running so well in the marathon in Rio, but he dearly wanted to be

in that race. At the front now in her first half marathon here in

South Shields. Is it going to be a glorious debut for Cheruiyot? Or is

Jeptoo going to run away with this question at she is a previous winner

of this event. -- run away with this? She is about 5-6 seconds, that

is not that far. This race might not be over yet, even for Dibaba, but

when they have crossed this rise, it is about judging your effort. Jeptoo

has sided she's off, and I think Cheruiyot is under pressure --

decided she's. Cheruiyot is hanging on to her, but Dibaba is moving well

again and she might be thinking she has a chance. Back to this pace

being set by Ritzenhein. He is operating in an area he hasn't been

in too many times so it is great to see him doing this. I would also

make the point, you can get to 10-11 miles and not be able to finish it

off well, so that is the question for him. He is testing Mo Farah and

also testing himself. The important test is for him because when it

comes to the finishing area, you would never bet against Mo Farah, on

the road and on the track. Ritzenhein has run a fine race

today, though. Jeptoo gives another go. Maybe Cheruiyot was worried they

were going to go a bit slow and that would let Dibaba have another chance

of thinking that she could get there, but now they are approaching

the last few hundred metres and Jeptoo is desperately trying to hang

on. Cheruiyot, when it comes to finishing races quickly on the

track, it she is one of the best. Over the years she has been

outkicked by Dibaba at the Olympics, but she has won world titles and

finally she won the 5,000-metre gold medal at the Rio Olympics. And now

in her first-ever half marathon, it she has enough of a gap which will

suggest she can build on that, and she does. Cheruiyot of Kenya, moving

away from her team-mate Jeptoo who was the winner in 2013, two former

winners behind Vivian Cheruiyot. She has got the half marathon part of

her career off to a brilliant start, by coming to take the title in her

first ever visit to the Great North Run. Cheruiyot wins. Jeptoo is

second. Dibaba crosses the line a few seconds behind in third. Great

race from three very good athletes. The two big names, Cheruiyot and

Dibaba, of course, and Jeptoo got in amongst them, and that is a

fantastic debut for Cheruiyot. What is it like out here today? The

atmosphere is amazing, it always is every year, the whole community

comes out to support everyone, it is great. Why are you running? Liberty

is a wonder woman, she was diagnosed under three years ago with breast

cancer and she had a baby at the time, as well, had just had a baby,

and she beat breast cancer. You are a bit of a star. She is. I hope that

you don't go, but you are such an inspiration, these ladies have told

me. I could not have done it without them. It is wonderful. This is my

first Great North Run and this is amazing, you have got to come out

and do it, everybody. If Mo Farah would like to push on, he can still

dip under 60 minutes, but he would be more interested in winning the

race because he senses that Ritzenhein is working so hard to

maintain this kind of place, so when they drop down through 12 miles

which will be fairly soon, in about another minute. When they drop down

through this steep downhill section near Marston. He is away, and that

is a sense of someone who hasn't got dead legs. Ritzenhein, breaking

hard, but Mo Farah was flowing down the hill, letting himself go. He

just wants to make he doesn't do himself any damage. It is better to

relax downhill. He might even let Ritzenhein come back to him, but now

he has the gap, why not push on? He knows he pretty much has the race

won but it is now a case of how hard he wants to go in the last mile.

John Culshaw, how are you feeling? Not too bad, I'm going at a steady

pace, about the speed that Del boy went when he was dressed as Batman,

that is my pace. Where is your running buddy? There is a group of

four of us and we are having a chat, and you form a little team, and that

spurs you on, and the crowd, the cheering, the music, it is magical,

it really is. You managed to stay off the jelly babies? The crowd are

very generous with jelly babies and energy drinks, we have everything we

need and I can't believe the halfway stage is here. Not far to go now.

Mentally you are ready? I have done the Blackpool ten K a few times.

Onwards and upwards. None of this track races are like

this, they always come down to the last 400 metres, but this is a very

familiar sight in a British sport, Mo Farah winning another race. Mo

Farah, stretching out, 800 metres remaining. A glance over his

shoulder. Ritzenhein is working hard now. Mo Farah, 600 metres to go, the

end of a glorious year and a glorious four years since 2012 and

all the victories he has achieved. Well done, Mo Farah. I'm not sure he

is that bothered about going below one hour, but I think he will be

right on the margin. If he had really tapped this last 500 metres

he would have broken it. He doesn't really need to do that. If he

maintains his rhythm and his cadence he might just miss the one-hour mark

but that doesn't matter. The crowd came to see Mo Farah win and that is

what they will be watching. That is what he has delivered for them. The

hero of British athletics. He is being cheered by thousands of

people. None of them... Maybe a few went to Rio to cheer him on, he had

great British support in the stadium, but this is their chance to

come out on the streets of Tyneside and see Britain's hero, and one of

the greatest distance runners of all time, you have to say that, with the

record he now has in major championships. Two more Olympic gold

medals to add to the amazing tally he'll rehouse. It won't stop there.

-- amazing tally he already has. We will see him at the World

Championships in London next year and many people will have already

got tickets for that. Mo Farah, continuing his glory run, in the

last 150 metres. He would have to go some to break one-hour, he's

probably looking at the clock, but he well be bothered by that. No need

for him to panic or worry, no need to watch the clock. He is just

enjoying this. That might even be a little different ways, but there is

the usual gesture and he makes another bit of history. Ritzenhein,

running very fast indeed, not far outside his personal best, he did

very well today in second. He made Mo Farah work for it. Winning in

front of this huge crowd and winning his third Great North Run. We can

round up the elite races. Very close in the wheelchair race. Mark Telford

taking it by a second, from Bret Crossley, who was closing in for

much of the race. It was very close in the women's

race. Dibaba drops towards the end, but Cheruiyot got it in front of her

fellow countrywoman Jeptoo. It was Mo Farah's race in the men's but he

was made to work very hard by the American Ritzenhein. Emmanuel Bett

finished in third. Mo Farah taking his third successive victory in the

Great North Run. There are thousands upon thousands

of people on the course. Some pushing for personal bests, some

struggling with the pain barrier, they all have their own motivation.

Just getting your trainers on can be enough. There are 101 reasons not to

run, and I thought of everyone, a date with marigolds, a one-woman

excuse. I don't have time, one of my favourite lines of that has to be

the worst of the lot. Female multitasking powers mean there are

always moments. When I say I don't feel like it, I'm a mother, wife, I

work, I have a life, lacing up seems a struggle sometimes. What I tell

myself when I don't feel like running to my veg OPV's bum does not

stay on the sofa. The never-ending washing basket does cause issues,

especially the lot pockets of jelly babies and tissues. If all else

fails, you don't have to do it. I cannot run on empty tummy. I get

dizzy. Running when one is full to the brim makes me sick, queasy

evident that grin. The key to nutrition is suck it and see. The

chances are, you will always find a willing Bush to have a wee. There

are 101 reasons not to run, over the years I have been through everyone.

At the end of the day, with no run intended, all the other pans, I

still go, I still get out there, I always run.

35 years, the Great North Run has been going. I'm not sure it has ever

looked better. Thousands upon thousands lining the last mile at

South Shields. It has the almost perfect conditions. Gentle breeze.

Blue skies, sunshine. Over 40,000 pounding the streets from Newcastle

down through Gateshead, Jarrow and South Shields. Wonderful day.

Talking earlier on. The first year was 1981, about 12,000, I'm not sure

how many finished. We use to finish a bit further down, not even a half

marathon. The half marathon distance, as a regulation distance

had not been invented. Only 1981. It was a run from Newcastle to South

Shields. Brendan was saying, if they had thought about it properly, they

may have gone the other way round. Great finish, brilliant start. The

last mile or so, it is great. A chance to look all the way up the

street, the big crowds get so close, getting the chance to strike and

spot if they are lucky, their loved ones. -- to try and spot. More

colourful than it used to be. 103 people have taken part in the Great

North Run since it was first staged in 1981. 103 people giving all 35.

There is the holding area, they gave three, gets the goody bags, a mass

IS, some sustenance. Reflecting with others, on a great day's work. Weeks

and months of training for many, a lot of them back to do it next year.

Thousands of people still on the iconic course, so much history

around it. Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories can explain.

The final mile. Most runners agree, it is the longest mile since

Mr Imperial invented measurements. It starts here. The grotto is a

large cave blasted into the cliffs. In 1782, a man called Jack the

Bluster and his wife Jessie borrowed some explosives in a local quarry

turned a small cave into a large one to live in. They built this stairway

down the cliff. The odd choice of accommodation attracted visitors.

The couple supplied with refreshments at a cost. Supplying

the smugglers along the caves to hide their cargoes. The legend says

one smuggler turned informer, but the smugglers escaped by dumping the

cargo along there. When the smugglers found John, they put him

in a basket, lowered him down the shaft known as Smuggler's Hole,

where they left in to starve to death. They feasted in front of his

eyes, and used him as a target. It is set on cold, dark, stormy nights,

the wailing of his ghost can be heard above the sounds of the

howling wind. Those be the ghostly moan is of John the Gibber. Actually

the ghostly moans of runners at the finishing line. They could be right.

You are at the halfway stage. Nobody mentioned these little hills. To the

Great North Run, lovely. No mention of hills. You are still smiling?

Brilliant, one of the best things I have done. We cried when the Red

Arrows went over. A moment. Such an inspiration for so many people. We

loved your story. What would you say to anyone thinking about getting

into running. Get your trainers on, go. Best thing ever. Best thing you

done. Go for it, find support. I have supported with Run Wales. Find

support go for it. Delighted to say Vivian Cheruiyot is with me. Looking

fresh as a daisy. First time you have ever run that far

competitively. How did you find the half marathon? You made it look

easy. I was trying to finish the half marathon. It seems as if it is

going to be too tough. I have been used to 5000, 10,000 metres. Maybe

I'm going to do my best. When I was racing, racing Tirunesh Dibaba.

Jeptoo. They have been competing in half marathons and marathons. I

should not go in front immediately, I never know what is going to happen

ahead of me. I was relaxing. It was a little bit tough, the last one

kilometre. I am so happy, fantastic for me, also to wrap up my season. I

have three, I want is exhausted, men. They look fresh. This is great,

everybody names, numbers. What happened there? I changed it at the

last minute. Did not have my name on. Tell me your name. David. The

first three runners. How was the race? Absolutely knackered. I have

done before. Did not seem as hard last time. Seems either. Really

good. Brilliant. Rob, you were the first of these two. Great.

Supporters came at in force, great atmosphere. How much money did you

raise? About ?400, first time I have done. The verse eight or nine miles,

no bother, last few could not go faster. Would you advise someone

like me to do this instead of running? Definitely. Thank you, glad

you said that. Well done, gentlemen. I have been joined by the winner of

the elite men's race, Mo Farah. Not quite as straightforward as you

would think. I knew it would be hard work. Dathan ran a great race. I

know him well, he knows me well, former training partner. He put the

boot down, trying to get rid of me, he knows I have thus the face.

Amazing support kept me going. I am knackered. Hardly gentle. You have

to do a bit more talking. Somewhere out there is a wife. I said she has

crossed ten kilometres in 52 minutes. Because you are not used to

those kind of times, you said, is that good? I think she's doing well.

Good time for her. About halfway. If she goes like that, about 150. She

puts a little bit more, 150. It is a tough course. Mainly, do not get

carried away. I cannot talk to her. Does she have the Mo Farah kick? She

is a better sprinter. In the 100 metres, she has a better style. When

we release you, you can go back out there. You're cool down could be

going back to find Tanya. There might be chaos there and there. I

will be waiting at the finish line. -- chaos out there. Dathan's wife

Tanya is out on the course. She has been telling still all about the

pain that training for the world's Leichhardt marathon. Behind every

elite athlete chasing medals with a sole focus, there is a family behind

them. A family you may only see this husband and father for half a year.

For Tanya, some me time. She goes from the woman behind the athlete,

to the celebrity athlete in her rain right. I often have to watch

him at the start. To run it, I'm proud of the fact I have been able

to train myself well enough to the point where I feel I can run. I hope

I have been a good coach. If not, I will be in trouble. When she does

her run, she says she's getting cramps in your stomach. I say I'm

doing that over time. There is a fine line when you push the body

beyond, you get different pain. It is part of it. No one knows. Now she

does. I have gained a huge amount of respect for running more so than

ever before. I understand what it is like. Such a mental game. The

physical element, I felt the stomach cramps and the pain Mo's describes.

When you go through something from achieve something at the end, it

outweighs all the pain you have been through. It is great. There she is.

She crossed the line from significant and knowledgeable person

to greet her, her husband from a Mo, who won the elite men's race. Did

not look like you were in the mood for a big cuddle? I was not. Did not

even know he was there. The first thing I said, did you win? You cross

the line in? 1.39 something. I said if I could go under two hours, I

would be happy. I wanted to get close to 1.50, to get the that,

crazy. -- below that. That is it from the 36th edition of

the Great North Run. Another incredible day. For so many people.

We hope you enjoy watching. We will see you next year.

These people tonight will say yes, I raced Mo Farah.

Vivian Cheruiyot wins. A hero of British athletics. Mo Farah

sprinting away.