Son of South Tyneside Brendan Foster receives knighthood in Queen's Birthday Honours List

The Hebburn- born former athlete and commentator, now 72, has been recognised for his services to international and national sport and culture in the North East.

The former European 5,000 metres champion, Commonwealth 10,000 metres champion and Olympic 10,000 metres bronze medalist helped establish Gateshead Stadium as a venue for world-class athletics.

A life-long member of Gateshead Harriers, the former teacher – known as “Big Bren" – went on to found the Great North Run – the world’s biggest half marathon on the now-iconic course between Newcastle and South Shields.

His creation had to be held “virtually” this year because of coronavirus restriction although thousands still turned out to run in their local areas.

Mr Foster said: "It is a real privilege to receive this honour. Fifty years ago the Queen presented me with my first athletics medal at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games.

"Since then I've been lucky enough to spend my whole life doing something that I've loved from childhood, participating, sharing my enthusiasm and for the last 40 years encouraging thousands to run for pleasure.

"The North East has always been my home and at the heart of what I do. "The overwhelming public support for the Great North Run has made it the flagship event for the region, which is something I'm very proud of.

"I have to recognise with thanks the significant contribution of many others in the awarding of this honour.

"It really has been my privilege to work with those individuals and organisations who've shared the journey."

The birthday honours list was delayed this year because of the the pandemic and so that the response of people to the crisis could eventually be acknowledged.

The efforts of two South Tyneside people have been recognised with British Empire Medals (BEMs).

Nilima Rahman, of Virgin Money, will receive a medal for services to the financial services sector and the community of South Shields during the ongoing crisis and Joshua Trueman, owner of laser cutting firm JT Workshop, in Jarrow, receives a similar award for services to key workers during the pandemic.