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London 2012: Runners line up for Olympic Park race London 2012: Olympic Park runners finish race
(40 minutes later)
By Christine Jeavans BBC 2012By Christine Jeavans BBC 2012
The final waves of runners are finishing a race at London's Olympic Park which puts them among the first to cross the new stadium's finish line. Five thousand runners have taken part in a race at London's Olympic Park, becoming the first people to cross the new stadium's finish line.
Early finishers among the 5,000 were spurred on in the final 300m by the sound of the theme from classic athletics film, The Chariots of Fire. Early finishers were spurred on in the final 300m by the sound of the theme from classic athletics film, The Chariots of Fire.
Members of the public, athletes and celebrities are completing the five-mile run around the park. Members of the public, athletes and celebrities completed the five-mile run around the park.
People from around the UK joined the National Lottery event.People from around the UK joined the National Lottery event.
They started at the Orbit Tower and passed many of the Games venues before finishing in the Olympic Stadium, cheered on by friends and family.They started at the Orbit Tower and passed many of the Games venues before finishing in the Olympic Stadium, cheered on by friends and family.
More than 40,000 people applied, with the 5,000 participants being selected by random ballot to take part.More than 40,000 people applied, with the 5,000 participants being selected by random ballot to take part.
Princess Beatrice officially started the event at 14:00 BST, before taking part in the race and distributing finishers' medals.Princess Beatrice officially started the event at 14:00 BST, before taking part in the race and distributing finishers' medals.
Olympian Roger Black and Paralympian Danny Crates were among the members of the sporting world taking part.Olympian Roger Black and Paralympian Danny Crates were among the members of the sporting world taking part.
The runners set off in waves from a point near the spiralling red Orbit Tower, and passed the Athletes' Village, Velodrome, Basketball Arena and other venues.The runners set off in waves from a point near the spiralling red Orbit Tower, and passed the Athletes' Village, Velodrome, Basketball Arena and other venues.
The final leg went through the official athletes' entrance to the stadium.The final leg went through the official athletes' entrance to the stadium.
Up to 12,000 supporters at the event became the first public crowd allowed in to the venue. The 10,000 or so supporters at the event became the first public crowd allowed in to the venue.
'Fantastic motivation''Fantastic motivation'
One of the successful 5,000 entrants was Jane Moore, whose husband, Ben - a keen runner and triathlete - failed to get in.One of the successful 5,000 entrants was Jane Moore, whose 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 before the race.
"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, expected to be cheered on by her mother who, as a child, attended the opening ceremony of the 1948 Olympics. The 43-year-old from West Malling, Kent, was due to be cheered on by her mother who, as a child, attended the opening ceremony of the 1948 Olympics.
"She wanted to get Olympic tickets but didn't so this is great for her," said Ms Moore."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.
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."
Beforehand, Omar Khorshed, 33, from Chiswick, west London, said he was looking forward to the atmosphere.Beforehand, 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 was allowed two supporters' passes. All visitors had to pass through airport style security on their way into the Olympic Park.Each entrant was allowed two supporters' passes. All visitors had 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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