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Tony Blair starts Great North Run | Tony Blair starts Great North Run |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thousands of people are crossing the finish line of the 28th annual Great North Run on Tyneside. | |
A record 52,000 runners were set on their way when former prime minister Tony Blair and three Beijing gold medallists sounded starting hooters. | |
Some 30,000 spectators lined the route, between Newcastle and South Shields, to cheer on the participants. | |
This year's half-marathon runners are raising an estimated £10m for local and national charities. | |
Mr Blair was joined by Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy and Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmons. | |
Celebrity runners | Celebrity runners |
The former prime minister congratulated race founder Brendan Foster on making the event a success. | |
He said: "Brendan has done the most amazing job and the Great North Run is now one of the big events worldwide. | He said: "Brendan has done the most amazing job and the Great North Run is now one of the big events worldwide. |
"There is thousands of people running and I think they are going to raise about £10m for charity, which is utterly incredible." | "There is thousands of people running and I think they are going to raise about £10m for charity, which is utterly incredible." |
Celebrity runners this year include model Nell McAndrew, Apprentice winner Lee McQueen and former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody. | Celebrity runners this year include model Nell McAndrew, Apprentice winner Lee McQueen and former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody. |
Ethiopia's Gete Wami claimed victory in the elite women's race as Britain's Jo Pavey finished in third place. | Ethiopia's Gete Wami claimed victory in the elite women's race as Britain's Jo Pavey finished in third place. |
Tsegay Kebede made it a double triumph for Ethiopia as he won the men's race with a dominant display. | Tsegay Kebede made it a double triumph for Ethiopia as he won the men's race with a dominant display. |
Are you going to watch the Great North Run? | Are you going to watch the Great North Run? |
Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and video to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |