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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Thousands finish Great North Run | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Tens of thousands of people are finishing the 27th annual Great North Run on Tyneside. | |
| About 50,000 runners took part in the famous half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields. | |
| An estimated 30,000 spectators lined 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| In the elite women's race, American Kara Goucher triumphed over second placed Paula Radcliffe, who was returning to competition for the first time in 21 months. | In the elite women's race, American Kara Goucher triumphed over second placed Paula Radcliffe, who was returning to competition for the first time in 21 months. |
| London Marathon winner Martin Lel burst clear of fellow Kenyan and world half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru to win the men's race by eight seconds. | London Marathon winner Martin Lel burst clear of fellow Kenyan and world half-marathon record holder Sammy Wanjiru to win the men's race by eight seconds. |
| Medical back-up | Medical back-up |
| In the wheelchair races South African Ernst Van Dyk beat Kurt Fearnley of Canada, while Britain's Shelly Woods cruised to victory ahead of Italian Francesca Porcellato in the women's event. | In the wheelchair races South African Ernst Van Dyk beat Kurt Fearnley of Canada, while Britain's Shelly Woods cruised to victory ahead of Italian Francesca Porcellato in the women's event. |
| The mass runners started the race at 1040 BST. | The mass runners started the race at 1040 BST. |
| About 500 medics were positioned along the route to tend to the weary runners. | |
| The medical back-up included 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. |