The Red Arrows provided inspiration for the 50,000 runners

England manager and former Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren fired the starter's pistol on Sunday morning.

A record number of people applied for the 2006 event - around 80,000 for the more than 38,000 places.

Extra safety measures including more medical cover were introduced by race organisers Nova, who revealed that a 29-year-old man died during the event.

The additional safety measures were put in place following the deaths of four runners in the 2005 event.

The main race - won by Henrick Ramaala from South Africa - was preceded by the National Wheelchair Championships and the Women's British Half Marathon Championships.

Ethiopia's Berhane Adere won the women's event, with Britain's Jo Pavey in fourth.

The wheelchair race was won by Canada's Diane Roy, with Shelly Woods from Blackpool in second place.

Redcar's Paralympic gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson finished 5th.

Ethiopia's Berhane Adere won the women's event

Celebrities who ran in the main event included Carol Vorderman - who was "Walking for Whiteley" in memory of Richard Whiteley - and actress Amanda Burton, as well as Chris Tarrant's estranged wife Ingrid.

Friends and family of Leeds company director Reuben Wilson who collapsed and died during last year's race, also took part.

His brother Judah led a team of more than 20 people who stopped at the 11-mile mark where Mr Wilson died last September.

"It was quite emotional at that point. I stopped for 2-3 minutes," said Judah.

"All in all, the atmosphere today was brilliant. People were patting us on the back saying 'well done'."

The race followed the usual route from Newcastle to South Shields via North West Radial, Central Motorway, Tyne Bridge, Felling by-pass, the A194, John Reid Road, King George Road, Prince Edward Road, Redwell Lane and the Coast Road.

Rail operator GNER and Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus provided extra trains for people travelling to the event.

The Great North Run was broadcast live on BBC One.

Are you at the Great North Run? You can send pictures and video to: [email protected] or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100.

Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.