Millions raised for charity as 43,000 people take part in Great North Run


In the region of 43,000 people attempted this year's gruelling 13.1-mile half-marathon from Newcastle to the South Tyneside coastline.
Starting the day's events was the wheelchair racers, with David Weir claiming his seventh victory with a time of 41 minutes and 19 seconds, while Poland's Martyna Snopek took the women’s wheelchair title.
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In the men’s elite race, Sir Mo Farah won a record fifth Great North Run with a course record of 59 minutes and 26 seconds, while Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot was the fastest woman with a time of 67 minutes and 43 seconds.
However, for most the day is about the fun runners who raise much-needed funds for worthy causes across the UK.
Thousands of spectators lined the course of the run, handing out much-needed refreshments and treats to those passing by.
Deborah Roberts, co-founder of South Shields-based Cancer Connections was manning a tent for her charity's 40 runners, with the help of Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall and Paralympic gold medalist Josef Craig, who are both patrons.
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She said: "Our marvellous runners will probably generate in the region of £12,000-15,000, which is incredible.
"Everyone running does it for their own personal reasons and we are always humbled by the support they receive."
Singer Jade said: "Everyone should be so proud, they are doing this for such a great cause.”
John Nejady, 34, from South Shields, a video games producer, was raising cash for the People's Kitchen - a Newcastle-based food charity.
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He said: "I'm pretty pleased with my time of 1hr 48mins. This is the fifth time I've done the run, and it just keeps getting better.
"I've raised about £180 for my charity, as the work it does, feeding those who are less fortunate, is essential.”
Toni Rayner, 30, an office manager, was raising funds for South Shields-based Charlie Cookson Foundation, which helps families who have children with life-limiting conditions.
Toni, from Gateshead, is friends with the charity's founders, Chris and Sarah Cookson from Simonside, South Shields.
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She said: "With being friends of Chris and Sarah I know how important the work the foundation does is, so I wanted to help.
"I've raised about £300, and my fellow runners will probably take the total up to about £750,"
Daniel Whitelaw, 28, from Harton Nook, South Shields, had secured sponsorships of £450 for the Glen Corner Trust - in memory of local lad who was killed on his 16th birthday in 2006.
The charity aims to help families who have been affected by knife crime.
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Hide AdDaniel, an engineer for Rolls Royce, said: "I was friends with Glen and I've done a few things over the years to raise money for the Trust, but this was my first ever run.
"It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I spotted my nana though as I was running - that was good."


But for some the run was a good way to keep healthy competition going between husband and wife.
Stuart Guthrie, 32, from Monkton Village, a salesman for a medical company, was furious when he realised wife Karen beat him.
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Hide AdThe father-of-two said: "I've finished with a time of 2hrs 10 mins, but I know my wife has beat me. She’ll never let me hear the end of it.
"This is the fifth time I've done it and unfortunately my slowest-ever run. But it's still been a fantastic day."