Great North Run welcomes 60,000 participants for 43rd event

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PA Media Hundreds of runners, being cheered on by spectators, on the Great North Run track in 2023 — About 60,000 people took part part in the 42nd Great North Run in 2023

Drivers have been warned to plan their journeys home ahead as there will be a number of road closures in place, including a section of the key cross-country M62.

The first race, the elite wheelchair race, is due to start at 10:30 BST.

Over on South Shields beach, artist Claire Eason and the Soul 2 Sand team etched and raked a good luck message in sand to the runners.

“Just keep cannin’, howay the lads and lasses!”, it read.

Entrepreneur Lines Behind, who collaborated on the project, offered a “gentle and Geordie reminder to enjoy every minute”.

Artists Claire Eason and the Soul 2 Sand team etched and raked a good luck message in sand to the runners

soul2sand/Lines Behind Beach art shot from a drone looking down on a drawing which reads: "Gan canny be proud, man divent give up! Just keep cannin'. Good luck to all taking part. Howay the lads and lasses! Yiv got this. — Artists Claire Eason and the Soul 2 Sand team etched and raked a good luck message in sand to the runners

North East mayor Kim McGuinness said it would a “privilege” to be on the start line.

She described it as the “best of our great North East”.

Among those running will be Chris Johnson, from Sunderland, who has raised more than £40,000 for a children’s charity since being diagnosed with incurable cancer.

Mr Johnson said the event would be his last race.

“I can’t really run anymore, but I’ll just get round somehow and I’ll know I’ll get plenty of support,” he added.

Chris Johnson first ran the Great North Run after being told his cancer was incurable

Chris Johnson Chris Johnson with his fists in the air and a big smile on his face — Chris Johnson first ran the Great North Run after being told his cancer was incurable

Debbie Bowling-Mowatt was challenged to take on the Great North Run by her late wife, Lindsay, who was a firefighter.

Ms Bowling-Mowatt and a team, including her father’s former colleagues from the fire service, will be fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity.

She said: “It’s coming up to nearly a year since Lindsay passed, this just means the absolute world to me and everybody else that’s doing it – I just want to get over that finish line.”

Debbie Bowling-Mowatt has been training alongside her father’s former boss, Northumberland’s Chief Fire Officer Graeme Binning

Debbie running in a park wearing a vest that reads "Stop Glioblastoma". Graeme is running wearing a vest that reads "The Brain Tumour Charity". — Debbie Bowling-Mowatt has been training alongside her father’s former boss, Northumberland’s Chief Fire Officer Graeme Binning

Roads including the A167(M), Newcastle Central Motorway A167(M), the A167 and the A194 will shut on Sunday.

A section of the M62 in Greater Manchester has also been shut until 06:00 BST on Monday to carry out infrastructure works which may affect heading back to the North West.

AA spokesman Tony Rich said: “Runners heading from the North West to the Great North Run are advised to familiarise themselves with the diversion route, in addition to their running route, to avoid heavy traffic scuppering a personal best.”

You can find the full list of road closures here.

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