Great North Run: fourteen seconds between first and second, a tenth title for Weir and McColgan out

On Sunday 13 September the 45th Great North Run — the world's biggest half marathon — was held in north-east England. Around 63,000 people started in Newcastle and finished on the seafront at South Shields, over 13.1 miles (21.1km).

Who won the men's race?

American Zouhair Talbi, in 59 minutes and 47 seconds. He beat Kenya's Alex Mutiso — last year's winner and the pre-race favourite — by just fourteen seconds; Mutiso finished in 1:00:01. Japan's Yohei Ikeda was third in 1:00:40.

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The course record stood: Martin Mathathi's 58:56 has now lasted fifteen years.

Who won the women's race?

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei won in one hour, six minutes and 15 seconds. She led from the start, ran much of the distance alone and finished more than two minutes clear of compatriot Sheila Chepkirui, last year's winner, who ran 1:08:19. Ethiopia's Melknat Wudu was third in 1:09:37.

Kosgei is an Olympic silver medallist and a former London Marathon winner. The course record is also hers — 1:04:28, set in 2019 — and this year's time was slower than that.

Amy-Eloise Neale was the first British athlete home, fifth overall.

What happened to Eilish McColgan?

The 35-year-old Scot withdrew: a foot injury flared early in the race and she limped off.

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It continues a difficult season. At the London Marathon in April she finished seventh and was the first British athlete home, but ran with a broken toe — blood was seeping through her shoe at the finish. She missed the Commonwealth Games in July as a result. A week ago she returned and won the Big Half in London in 1:10:54, though she admitted afterwards that she was still worried about the foot. She was third at last year's Great North Run.

Who won the wheelchair races?

Britain's David Weir took his tenth Great North Run title in 43 minutes and six seconds. Melanie Woods won the women's race in 50:19.

Why is this year different?

The run turned 45 and became the largest in its history, with 63,000 participants. The North Eastern Championships were incorporated for the first time. The elite fields started in waves — wheelchairs at 10:20, elite women at 10:25, visually impaired athletes at 10:27, elite men and the mass field at 10:50.

The men's course record has stood for 15 years: 58:56, set by Martin Mathathi.

How do you get a place for 2027?

The ballot for the 12 September 2027 race is already open on the organisers' website, with entry at £70. Places are allocated by lottery and applications routinely outnumber slots several times over, so it is worth entering now rather than closer to spring.

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