Embracing the spirit of the Great North Run
For me, the BUPA Great North Run is one of the greatest days of the sporting year. The sight of fifty thousand runners heading across the iconic , as they make their way from Newcastle to South Shields, is both inspirational and emotional.
Everyone on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ team is moved by the endeavours of those taking part and moved by the stories which are uncovered. The world's biggest half marathon is so much more than just a 13.1 mile journey; not only a time for marvelling at the excellence of the elite runners but also celebrating the achievements of thousands of unsung heroes raising millions of pounds for charity. We can also admire the many famous names taking part who are putting their reputations on the line.
However, there is one famous name who stands out this year. She'll be that Pied Piper leading the masses down the course, focusing absolutely on the task at hand. Yes for and for the first time since she gave birth to baby daughter Isla.
With her sights set on the Olympic marathon in next summer, Paula Radcliffe begins her comeback on a course she knows well. She's won the race twice before - in 2000 and 2003 setting a course record of 65 minutes 40 seconds in the process - she is a great favourite on Tyneside. "I love the Great North, have many happy memories and always get such great support there".
Our mobile cameras will be with Paula all the way to South Shields. The Elite Women's race starts at 10.15am (BST)with the Elite Men and the Masses starting at 10.40am. The men's field is led by the world of Kenya.
The commentators will be Steve Cram, Paul Dickenson and Brendan Foster who was the inspiration behind starting the event back in 1981. Sue Barker introduces on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE, which will start at 9.30am.
Early on, we'll hear from Paula Radcliffe and some of those celebrities taking part such as James Cracknell, Ben Fogle, Carol Vorderman, Ray Stubbs and England Football manager Steve McLaren.
The race is being started by one of Steve's predecessors and a north-eastern legend, Sir Bobby Robson. Also running again is . He had been planning to miss it this year for his son Adam's wedding. Tragically, though his fiance Vicky was killed when she was knocked down cycling to work at Chelsea Football ground.
Sir Chris, Adam and 190 friends of Vicky are running in her memory for . Our cameras followed Chris to Ethiopia when he went to visit the project and meet up with .
This is just one of many inspirational stories. We will feature others both before and after the elite races. Our reporters will work on the principle that everyone has a story to tell so they will be working hard to capture them.
Jonathan Edwards will be at the start, Phil Jones at the finish, Carol Malia is at the six-mile point and three miles further on will be Rob Walker. We will also be inviting viewers to text in with good luck messages as well and we will aim to fit in as many as possible before we go off air at 1.30pm.
Later on at 6.05pm, Jonathan Edwards will return with highlights of the elite races and more interviews with some of the 50,000 'stars' of the day.
There will also be regular reports on Radio Five Live courtesy of Mike Costello and Allison Curbishley and results and reports on .
However, this is not just a one-day affair. The Newcastle/Gateshead quayside is the centre of events the day before with elite runners competing over one mile and 3000m. Watch out for Becky Lyne, Mo Farah and Craig Mottram from Australia. The Great North Miles is live at 1.00pm on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE.
Before then, Sportsround on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TWO at 11.45am is also live on the quayside following the exploits of some of the junior runners. There'll be a feature within Sunday's coverage too where we'll put the spotlight on the 250 strong team from the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Penrith.
We'll try and embrace the spirit of Great North Run weekend and even if the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ team can't run and share the exhiliration of taking part, we will be aiming to produce the best coverage possible. We're determined to play our part in inspiring tens of thousands to take part each year, hundreds of thousands to dig deep into their pockets for charity and millions to watch at home.
