The four men died after collapsing during the run

Terry Carney, coroner for Gateshead and South Tyneside, ordered the hearings after concerns were raised over medical help available during the event.

The men who died in the race last month, were aged between 28 and 52, and were from Durham, Leeds, York and Kent.

Nova International, which organises the run, welcomed the decision, but said it could not comment on individual cases.

Post-mortem examinations on Phil Lewis, 52, who taught at Moorside Community College, Consett, Co Durham and company director Reuben Wilson, 28, of Rawdon, Leeds, revealed they died of natural causes.

But the causes of the deaths of Kieran Patching, 34, of Walderslade, Kent, who ran a building firm, and David Mahaffey, 43, of York, have yet to be determined.

'Full facilities'

A spokeswoman for the South Tyneside and Gateshead coroner said the dates of the inquests have yet to be decided.

She said: "They are being held because of personal concerns raised about medical facilities and the reaction times of help available."

Naomi Bradbourne, the sister of Reuben Wilson, who died during the event claims it took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive to treat her brother.

But Nova International said there were 16 ambulances on standby during the event as well as "full medical facilities."