Onesie Bupa Great North Run
Posted on: 07/09/2014
Onesies On Your Marks!
The Great North Run Million Opening Ceremony on the Newcastle/Gateshead Quayside took place last night!Ant and Dec opened the ceremony and were joined by a few special guests including Paula Radcliffe, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, the very first winner Mike McLeod, Haile Gebrselassie and Mo Farah and Great North Run founder, Brendan Foster.There were fireworks coming off the Tyne Bridge, projections on the Sage, and a huge runner made of fire! Boats going up the river Tyne showing the industrial ages and performers with electricity coming out of their hands told the history of the North East.The ceremony is to celebrate the millionth Great North runner, who will cross the line on Sunday- and did you know... It is the first running event in the world to reach that milestone!
The Bupa Great North Run is the second largest half marathon in the world, taking place annually in North East England each September, participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields.
The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster and local South Shields William Rowe.
The first Great North Run was took place on 28 June 1981, when 12,000 runners participated. By 2003, the number of participants had risen to 47,000, and in 2011 event saw an announced field of 54,000!
It's a spectacular event, and a one we're so pleased to have here in the North East!
This years Great North Run will be taking place this Sunday, 7th September. Our very own Rachel will be down their supporting her sister, who is taking part in the Great North Run to raise money for Cancer Research.
Will you be taking part in the Great North Run this year, or perhaps you'll be snuggling up in your onesie at home and following it on the television?
Good luck to everyone taking part!