Great North Run 2019: Thousands take part in half-marathon

Thousands of people are taking part in the 2019 Great North Run in Tyneside.

Organisers said about 57,000 runners registered for the 13.1 mile event, which stretches from Newcastle to South Shields.

Sir Mo Farah won a record sixth successive victory by winning the elite men's race in 59 minutes and seven seconds.

While Brigid Kosgei, beat the women's course record with a time of 64 minutes and 28 seconds.

Great North Run 2019: Live updates

First held in 1981, the half-marathon has grown from an initial 12,000 runners.

Lionesses stars Steph Houghton and Jill Scott, along with England and Durham cricketer Mark Wood, started the event at 10:40 BST.

Thousands of cheering spectators lined the route to encourage the runners.

Farah got under way in the elite men's race with the rest of the field following them across the start line.

Speaking after the win, Farah told BBC Sport the crowd had been so loud he did not know if anyone had been close behind him at the finish.

"I've really enjoyed it but the past couple of years has been in the middle of marathon preparation. It was good to test myself. Things are looking good and I'm happy with the win.

"Tokyo is definitely on the cards - as an athlete you always want to represent your country. You just have to take it one year at a time. Hopefully, come Tokyo time, we will be in the mix."

Alyson Dixon, from Sunderland, broke the record for the fastest superhero to run a half-marathon.

She said: "I loved every second out there, it was absolutely amazing, completely different experience to being in the elites.

"From the first step across the start line, the crowds were enormous, there wasn't an inch of the course where there wasn't a "go Aly, go Wonder Woman" and it was just absolutely fantastic atmosphere out there. "

Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola challenged Farah in the men's elite race and took second place.

Brigid Kosgei, who won the London Marathon in April, not only beat the women's course record on Sunday, she also beat the world half-marathon record.

Multiple Paralympics champion David Weir was first across the finish line in the men's wheelchair race and sealed an eighth victory.

Saturday saw thousands of fans line the banks of the River Tyne for the Junior and Mini Great North Runs, and the Great North 5K.

Elites were in attendance for the Great North City games, held in Stockton-On-Tees for the first time.

Taking part in the Great North City Games in Stockton was Great Britain's Richard Kilty, who raced to victory in 100m and came third in the 150m.

Other leading names taking part included British Paralympics champion Sophie Hahn, who won the women's IPC 100m.

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