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London 2012: Runners line up for Olympic Park race London 2012: Runners line up for Olympic Park race
(40 minutes later)
By Christine Jeavans BBC 2012By Christine Jeavans BBC 2012
Five thousand runners have set off in the Olympic Park in a race which will see them become the first people across the stadium finish line. The fastest of 5,000 runners has completed a race in the Olympic Park to become the first person to cross the stadium finish line.
Members of the public, athletes and celebrities are running in the five-mile run which snakes around the Park.Members of the public, athletes and celebrities are running in the five-mile run which snakes around the Park.
People from around the UK are taking part in the National Lottery event.People from around the UK are taking part in the National Lottery event.
They started at the Orbit Tower and pass many of the venues before they end up in the Olympic Stadium, cheered on by friends and family. They started at the Orbit Tower and pass many of the venues before finishing in the Olympic Stadium, cheered on by friends and family.
More than 40,000 people applied and 5,000 participants won a random ballot to take part.More than 40,000 people applied and 5,000 participants won a random ballot to take part.
Princess Beatrice officially started the event at 14:00 BST and is taking part in the race, before distributing finishers' medals.Princess Beatrice officially started the event at 14:00 BST and is taking part in the race, before distributing finishers' medals.
Olympian Roger Black and Paralympian Danny Crates are among the members of the sporting world who will also be taking part.Olympian Roger Black and Paralympian Danny Crates are among the members of the sporting world who will also be taking part.
The runners are setting off in waves from a point near the spiralling red Orbit Tower, and pass the Athletes' Village, Velodrome, Basketball Arena and other venues.The runners are setting off in waves from a point near the spiralling red Orbit Tower, and pass the Athletes' Village, Velodrome, Basketball Arena and other venues.
The final leg takes them through the official athletes' entrance and beneath the Olympic Stadium seating before entering the Stadium itself.The final leg takes them through the official athletes' entrance and beneath the Olympic Stadium seating before entering the Stadium itself.
They will then run 300 metres before crossing the finish line, where they will be cheered on by up to 12,000 supporters - the first public crowd to be allowed into the venue.They will then run 300 metres before crossing the finish line, where they will be cheered on by up to 12,000 supporters - the first public crowd to be allowed into the venue.
'Fantastic motivation''Fantastic motivation'
One of the successful 5,000 entrants was Jane Moore - although her husband, Ben, a keen runner and triathlete failed to get in.One of the successful 5,000 entrants was Jane Moore - although her husband, Ben, a keen runner and triathlete failed to get in.
"He had told me to enter and then I got in and he didn't - he was quite cross," she told the BBC."He had told me to enter and then I got in and he didn't - he was quite cross," she told the BBC.
"I just thought 'I've got to do it now'. It's the furthest I've ever run but it's fantastic motivation having the end goal of the stadium, I keep imagining running down that tunnel.""I just thought 'I've got to do it now'. It's the furthest I've ever run but it's fantastic motivation having the end goal of the stadium, I keep imagining running down that tunnel."
The 43-year-old from West Malling, Kent, will be watched by her mother who as a child attended the opening ceremony of the 1948 Olympics.The 43-year-old from West Malling, Kent, will be watched by her mother who as a child attended the opening ceremony of the 1948 Olympics.
"She's really over excited to see me in the stadium. She wanted to get Olympic tickets but didn't so this is great for her," said Ms Moore."She's really over excited to see me in the stadium. She wanted to get Olympic tickets but didn't so this is great for her," said Ms Moore.
'Emotional''Emotional'
Teacher Rob Green, 42, said he had lost six stones in weight training for the event, dropping from 18 stone to 12.Teacher Rob Green, 42, said he had lost six stones in weight training for the event, dropping from 18 stone to 12.
"I heard Seb [Coe] talking about the race on the radio and thought it would be something to aim for. I hadn't run a step before but I've been building up slowly," he said."I heard Seb [Coe] talking about the race on the radio and thought it would be something to aim for. I hadn't run a step before but I've been building up slowly," he said.
"I think it will be quite emotional entering the stadium and hopefully being able to spot my wife and son in the crowd, my whole family have been so supportive.""I think it will be quite emotional entering the stadium and hopefully being able to spot my wife and son in the crowd, my whole family have been so supportive."
He added that he was nervous about his first race but "so excited for the privilege to run in the stadium before all the athletes".He added that he was nervous about his first race but "so excited for the privilege to run in the stadium before all the athletes".
"It's the only time I will get to beat Mo Farah and Usain Bolt.""It's the only time I will get to beat Mo Farah and Usain Bolt."
Omar Khorshed, 33, from Chiswick, west London, said he was looking forward to the atmosphere.Omar Khorshed, 33, from Chiswick, west London, said he was looking forward to the atmosphere.
"I think there will be a good vibe and everyone will be very excited," he told the BBC."I think there will be a good vibe and everyone will be very excited," he told the BBC.
"It will feel phenomenal to cross the line - I will definitely sprint the last lap in the stadium.""It will feel phenomenal to cross the line - I will definitely sprint the last lap in the stadium."
Each entrant is allowed two supporters' passes. All visitors will have to pass through airport style security on their way into the Olympic Park.Each entrant is allowed two supporters' passes. All visitors will have to pass through airport style security on their way into the Olympic Park.
Sunday will see the first fee-paying crowd at the Olympic Stadium when the Gold Challenge charity event takes place.Sunday will see the first fee-paying crowd at the Olympic Stadium when the Gold Challenge charity event takes place.
The National Lottery is contributing up to £2.2bn towards the funding of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.The National Lottery is contributing up to £2.2bn towards the funding of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Are you taking part in the race? Will you be cheering on a friend or relative in the stadium? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you taking part in the race? Will you be cheering on a friend or relative in the stadium? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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