With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic delaying the landmark event until 2021, we have tracked back through our archives to recall some of the celebrities – both local and national – who have either braved the 13.1m-long course from Newcastle to South Shields or started the tens of thousands of runners on their way.
13. Heroes all
Everyone who has completed the course, however, is a star - none more so than South Tyneside's late Jim Purcell, affectionately known as Jarra Jim, who continued raising cash for charity by running the race in his 90s. Photo: JPIMedia
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