Great North Run 2023: Thousands take part as estimated £25m set to be raised for charity
Thousands of people have laced up their running shoes to take part in the 42nd Great North Run.
The 13.1 mile half-marathon is one of the most iconic in the world, taking runners on a route across the Tyne Bridge from Newcastle, through Gateshead to South Shields.
Around 60,000 people are taking part in the race today, with an estimated £25m raised for charity.
Former Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah also chose the race to end his remarkable careers as he finished fourth in a time of 1:03:28.
The race in 2020 had to be cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic and changes were made to the event in 2021 to allow for social distancing.
Last year’s run started with a minute’s silence following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
This year Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe was chosen to officially start the run.
County Durham entrepreneur and BBC ‘dragon’ Sara Davies, comedian Lee Ridley, who lives in Newcastle, and Emmerdale stars Laura Norton and Isabel Hodgins are among the celebrities taking part.
Ahead of the half marathon, BBC pundit and former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer sent a message telling him to ‘enjoy the Geordie welcome and the Geordie goodbye’ and wishing him luck.
Bill Cooksey – at 102 years old – hopes to become the oldest person to finish the Great North Run.
The centenarian, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, who walks about two miles a day to keep fit, is raising funds to support his local NHS Trust charity.
Another participant, Andrew Leather from South Shields, is attempting to complete the run 10 years after a life-altering stroke.
On Saturday about 10,000 children took part in the Junior and Mini Great North Run events on Newcastle Quayside.
The run’s organisers said it was the most entrants there had been for the three to 16-year-old events.
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