 Woods has enjoyed a successful season on the track and the road |
Britain's Shelly Woods and South Africa's Ernst van Dyk triumphed in the Great North Run wheelchair races. Blackpool racer Woods, who also won this year's London Marathon, beat experienced Italian Francesca Porcellato by over seven minutes.
She finished in 50 minutes and 36 seconds for her second win in the race.
Van Dyk edged out last year's winner Kurt Fearnley of Australia by one second to take the men's race.
His time of 42:36 was just one second outside the course record, held by Great Britain's David Weir, who missed the race as he recovered from glandular fever. The leading British competitor was Tushar Patel who finished in sixth in 47:09.
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It was the second wins of the weekend for Woods and van Dyk who were also victorious in Friday's Tunnel 2K races through the Tyne Tunnel. Woods defended her title to win in six minutes 24.9 seconds while Van Dyk built up an early lead over the rest of the field and held off the challenge of Kurt Fearnley to win in four minutes 6.7 seconds.
"I was a bit slower down the hill this year and I actually touched my brakes a couple of times," she said.
"I was third at the halfway stage but the climb is where I make this race my own and I am thrilled to have crossed the finish line in first place for the second year running."
Surprise late entrant, Sarah Loughran from Redcar finished in third place, just ahead of Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.
GREAT NORTH RUN WHEELCHAIR RACE RESULTS
Men
1. E Van Dyk (SA) 42mins 36secs
2. K Fearnley (Aus) 42:37
3. J Cassidy (Can) 43:44
4. D Lemeunier (Fra) 44:37
5. R Brunner (Spa) 44:51
Women
1. S Woods (GB) 50mins 36secs
2. F Porcellato (Ita) 58:00
3. J Sowerby (GB) 58:40
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Highlights: Tunnel 2k International 2007
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