{{Almost 56,000 people have taken to the streets of Tyneside to take part in the 33rd Great North Run.}}
World and Olympic champion Mo Farah narrowly missed out on becoming the first UK runner in 25 years to win the elite men’s race in a thrilling finish.
Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele held off Farah to finish first in South Shields after the 13.1 mile half marathon.
World 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and England cricketer Graeme Swann started the event.
Among the celebrities taking part are former Spice Girl Mel C and presenter Radio 2 presenter Jo Wiley.
Thousands gathered at the start line and along the route to cheer wheelchair racers and the elite women runners, who were the first to go.
The main group of runners got off on time at 10:40 BST.
With hundreds of charities being represented by the runners, an estimated £24m is expected to be raised.
During the race it is estimated that over 82,000 litres of water will be drunk by parched runners.
From just 12,000 runners at the first run in 1981, the event has now grown to more than 55,000 accepted entrants from more than 100,000 applicants.
BBC
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