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| Thousands finish Great North Run | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Thousands of runners are crossing the finish line of the 29th annual Great North Run on Tyneside. | |
| A record 54,000 people have been taking part in the half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields. | |
| About 30,000 spectators are lining the route to cheer the participants to the finish line. | |
| Musician Sting and Ashes-winning England cricketer Steve Harmison sounded the starting gun for this year's race. | Musician Sting and Ashes-winning England cricketer Steve Harmison sounded the starting gun for this year's race. |
| Sting said: "It is so exciting to be here and the atmosphere is incredible. | Sting said: "It is so exciting to be here and the atmosphere is incredible. |
| "It is a perfect day with blue skies and everybody is smiling." | "It is a perfect day with blue skies and everybody is smiling." |
| Kenya's Martin Lel claimed victory in the elite men's race for the second time in his career, while Portugal's Jessica Augusto broke away early to score an easy victory in the elite women's event. | |
| Britain's David Weir broke the men's wheelchair course record by over a minute, while American Amanda McGrory won the women's wheelchair title. | |
| Celebrity runners | |
| The first celebrity to finish the race was Olympic rower James Cracknell. | |
| Other famous entrants this year included chef Gordon Ramsey, EastEnders actors Kara Tointon and Joe Swash, and Hull City manager Phil Brown. | |
| Sir Bobby Robson's son Mark, who is running to raise funds for his late father's cancer foundation, said: "He was the honorary starter for the race twice and I always remember him saying that his hand nearly fell off because he shook so many hands. | Sir Bobby Robson's son Mark, who is running to raise funds for his late father's cancer foundation, said: "He was the honorary starter for the race twice and I always remember him saying that his hand nearly fell off because he shook so many hands. |
| "He loved doing it and it is a great event". | "He loved doing it and it is a great event". |
| The first Great North Run took place in June 1981 with 12,770 runners. | The first Great North Run took place in June 1981 with 12,770 runners. |
| Do you know anyone who is taking part in this year's Great North Run? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Do you know anyone who is taking part in this year's Great North Run? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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