Red Arrows wow thousands at Great North Run before torrential storms hit race

10 September 2023 , 18:52

595     0

The Red Arrows flying over the Great North Run (Image: Getty Images)

The Red Arrows performed an aerial flypast over the Tyne Bridge as 60,000 people pounded the streets for the Great North Run.

Among them was Olympic legend, Mo Farah, running his last competitive race and a 102-year-old who became the oldest person to complete the half marathon around the Tyne and Wear area yesterday.

Forty-year-old Mo was clapped all the way down the final stretch of the Coast Road in South Shields, giving high fives to the crowd, as he came in fourth. A six-time champion of the North Run, he said: “I knew it was going to be an emotional day.

A runner is drenched as the Great North Run was ended by storms (North News & Pictures Ltd northnews.co.uk)

“I was trying to enjoy as much as I could, to take it all in. But honestly, just the support of the people along the course was just, wow.”

The event started in glorious sunshine in Newcastle and through Gateshead but ended in torrential rain in South Shields for many. Second World War veteran, Bill Cooksey, 102, finished the 13.1mile race in just over six hours. The centenarian, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham was raising funds to support his local NHS Trust charity.

Mum whose best friend was killed by evil ex runs marathons to keep others safe

Bill, who walks 10 miles a day, said: “I hope it will encourage other people to try the same thing.” A man who had a heart attack at last year’s event, Daniel Johnson, 42, was also competing in the race. Two other runners called for help for his last year. He said: “I’m looking forward to getting over the finishing line this time.”

Stephen White