All set for the 'people's event' to take centre stage yet again

'GNR ATMOSPHERE IS UNMATCHED'

- By BARBARA HODGSON

THE Great North Run weekend of sport got off to a sunny start yesterday morning at a special event attended by professional athletes, inspiring first-timers and race founder Sir Brendan Foster.

In the buildup to the big event, the group gathered in Newcastle at the rooftop restaurant of Fenwick, which has this year’s medal and T-shirt on display in its famous front window.

A 5k yesterday will be followed by the junior and mini Great North's children’s events on the quayside today. And then 60,000 people will be pouring into the city tomorrow morning for the start of the 13.1-mile run that will be screened live around the world.

“We've just heard that the event is going to be televised in 200 countries,’ said Sir Brendan, who spoke earlier this week about the huge growth of the Newcastle to South Shields half-marathon that he started back in 1981. “It’s the region's event - the people's event,’ he added.

“It’s the stage that we provide as best we can then the actors come on stage - some of Shakespearean proportions! - and some dressed up. All of them are here, contributing to that atmosphere”

It's an event unlike any other so it is hard to quantify, he says, as it’s made up of so many parts.

“There are some fantastic stories around and lots we don't even know about.”

And thousands of others, besides the runners, also come together to make it what it is, including the council, police and volunteers who all contribute to the day. “You can’t pin it down”

Sir Brendan explains it's not like sports where one winner at the end comes off the court or pitch holding a cup above their heads. “At an event like this they come away with memories, feelings, emotions, victories, fundraising - they come away with their thing. They've got to remember, they make it happen.