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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 2012 | By Christine Jeavans BBC 2012 |
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 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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