Great turnout for the Great North Run

Thousands more turned out to support the runners in the world's biggest half-marathon in a colourful and noisy demonstration of the UK's unrivalled passion for sport.

Sports stars and celebrities were among the competitors raising millions of pounds for charities and good causes.

Premiership football referee Uriah Rennie, Leicester City manager Micky Adams and former National Hunt champion jockey Richard Dunwoody were all among the famous faces from the world of sport.

Award-winning chef Gordon Ramsey and TV gardener Charlie Dimmock led the celebrity contingent, supported by cast members from Holby City and Heartbeat.

Ms Dimmock said: "The atmosphere is fantastic - I can't believe how many people are here. I am running with a group of about 300 who are raising money for Cystic Fibrosis."

The elite men's and women's races were won by Dejene Berhanu, of Ethiopia, and Benita Johnson, of Australia, respectively.

Berhanu's winning time of 59 minutes 37 seconds set a new course record, and was the fastest half marathon time ever recorded on British soil.

Britain's Jon Brown came home in sixth place, having dropped two places when he was forced to take a toilet break 10 miles into the 13.2 mile race.

Despite this setback, Brown professed himself "quite surprised" with his success, as he had only recently returned to training after finishing fourth in the Olympic marathon in Athens.

World cross-country champion Johnson set a new personal best of 67 minutes 55 seconds to take the women's race by 30 seconds from Kenyan's Edith Masai and Susan Chetkemi.

27 September 2004