In the women's race Paula Radcliffe gradually whittles down her rivals as the course meanders out of Newcastle

By the five-mile mark Paula is out on her own as the chasing pack can't match her blistering pace

Urged on by an enthusiatic crowd, Paula completes the 13.5-mile half marathon course in 65 minutes and 40 seconds

A delighted Paula clutches the Great North Run trophy as her impressive time sets a world-best time and smashes her personal best

Last year's winner, Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan, must settle for fourth place after failing to keep pace with Paula

The men's race becomes a showdown between South Africa's Hendrik Ramaala (left) and Kenya's Jackson Koech as the two battle for the line

It takes a sprint finish to split the two and give Ramaala the men's title honours

47,000 members of the public also take part in the race, including Lloyd Scott who dons a heavy deep sea diver's outfit