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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Tony Blair starts Great North Run | Tony Blair starts Great North Run |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people have completed 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 are thousands of people running and I think they are going to raise about £10m for charity, which is utterly incredible." | |
| Celebrity runners this year included 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. |