Great North Run 2022 pays tribute to Her Majesty the Queen

Thousands of people came together in the North East yesterday, paying, what organisers called, a fitting tribute to Her Majesty.

The Great North Run went ahead - returning to the usual route from Newcastle to South Shields - after last year's run was changed due to Covid-19.

It's expected the event raised around £25m for hundreds of different charities, and began with a minute's silence and the singing of the National Anthem, as a mark of respect.

People from across the country shared their emotional stories with us through the day, including Big Pink Dress, who's become a fixture of the event - who told us the respectful atmosphere of the day was fitting, and he was glad to have been part of the day.

Meanwhile, 2019 Great British Bake Off contestant Michael returned to take on the challenge for the second year - running to raise money for the Alzheimers Society, in the name of his Grandad.

Sir Brendan Foster, Founder of the Great North Run said, “It was a privilege to able to bring people together and give them opportunity to pay tribute to the Queen at today’s event.

“The atmosphere on the start line was reflective, the nation has lost someone whose death is a defining moment for all of us, and who will be in our hearts and minds not just today and tomorrow but long into the future.

“The Great North Run has always been about a sense of togetherness, of shared endeavour, and of community pride and spirit – qualities the Queen embodied and committed her whole life to upholding. The runners today ran in that same spirit.”

Ahead of the masses, a world class field took on the elite race.

In the women's race, Kenya’s Hellen Obiri repeated her victory of 12 months ago, Obiri was given a tough test by Peres Jepchirchir and Almaz Ayana, the three crossing the line with only five seconds separating them.

Obiri crossed the line in 67.05, with Jepchirchir two seconds behind in 67.07, and Ayana in 67.10. First Brit over the line was Charlotte Purdue, who ran a largely solo race to finish in fifth with a time of 70.11.

Obiri said: “I’m very happy to win again, although of course this route was different to last year. The crowds were so good, I am very pleased to win here.”

Then Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo won the men’s race following a thrilling three-way battle for much of the race distance.

Kiplimo quietly and confidently picked off his opponents, with 2013 winner Kenenisa Bekele, who finished an eventual third, dropping first, followed by second-place Selemon Barega with about four miles to go, leaving Kiplimo with clear air to finish in 59.33, Barega in 60.39 and Bekele in 61.01.

Kiplimo said: “The race was good – it was a great feeling to win. It was a strange feeling to run the last few kilometres on my own. From 10KM it was four or five of us, then three, then two, then just me.

“This is a wonderful crowd. Around 18-19KM the crowds were amazing. Everyone was cheering and smiling."

2022 winner Marc Scott was first British runner home in sixth with a time of 62.28;

"It was a very different kind of race due to the events of the last few days but it’s a great event as always.

"They know how to put an event on here in the North East. I’m just grateful to be part of it again, especially with a great field assembled.”

In the wheelchair races, David Weir won his eighth Great North Run in 42.49, closely followed by Daniel Sidbury in 43.01 and Nathan Maguire further back in a time of 46.40. Eden Rainbow-Cooper crossed the line in 51:27, just edging out Scotland's Sammy Kinghorn on the line. Shelly Woods came third in 54:50.

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