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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Thousands take part in Great Run | Thousands take part in Great Run |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people are pounding the streets of Tyneside in the 27th annual Great North Run. | |
| About 50,000 runners are taking part in the famous half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields. | About 50,000 runners are taking part in the famous half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields. |
| An estimated 30,000 spectators are lining the 13.1 mile route to cheer participants to the finish. | An estimated 30,000 spectators are lining the 13.1 mile route to cheer participants to the finish. |
| Former Newcastle United and England manager Sir Bobby Robson fired the starting pistol for what is Europe's biggest road race. | |
| Sir Bobby, speaking before the race, said: "This is part of the sporting fabric of the North East. | Sir Bobby, speaking before the race, said: "This is part of the sporting fabric of the North East. |
| Celebrity runners | Celebrity runners |
| "It is a special day and the fantastic thing is the runners make millions and millions of pounds for charity." | "It is a special day and the fantastic thing is the runners make millions and millions of pounds for charity." |
| Up to 350 charities are represented at this year's race. | |
| England football coach Steve McClaren is running the event to raise cash for Macmillan Cancer Support. | |
| Celebrities taking part include TV presenters Carol Vorderman and Ben Fogle, and Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell. | Celebrities taking part include TV presenters Carol Vorderman and Ben Fogle, and Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell. |
| The event started with the wheelchair athletes at 1010 BST. | The event started with the wheelchair athletes at 1010 BST. |
| Medical back-up | |
| This was followed by the elite women, including Paula Radcliffe returning to competition for the first time in 21 months, at 1015 BST. | This was followed by the elite women, including Paula Radcliffe returning to competition for the first time in 21 months, at 1015 BST. |
| The mass runners followed the elite men at 1040 BST. | |
| About 500 medics are positioned along the route tending to the weary runners. | |
| The medical back-up includes consultants and cardiac specialists. | |
| Extra public transport has been laid on for the race and several roads have been closed. | Extra public transport has been laid on for the race and several roads have been closed. |