SUNSHINE and light winds created almost perfect conditions for the 36th Great North Run on Sunday, as tens of thousands of runners pounded the Tyneside streets in search of personal bests and charity cash.

More than 41,000 runners started the world famous half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields with crowds flocking to Tyneside from early in the morning.

The race was started by 800m superstar David Rudisha, and Bishop Auckland gymnast Amy Tinkler, who won bronze at the Rio Olympics last month.

She said it was an honour to be at the start line with world-record holder Rudisha, and was left with sore hands from high-fiving as many runners as possible.

Everyone who made the 13.1 mile journey had their own story to tell.

Five months ago doctors told 25-year-old, Edward Freeman, from Brandon, Durham he would not walk again after he was paralysed when a car struck him.

He completed the route, half running, half in a wheelchair, in three hours, four minutes and 59 seconds.

Mr Freeman said: “It is amazing. I did not think I would be able to do that sort of time, but I knew I could do it.

“The hardest part came about halfway through and then right at the end. When I saw the finishing line I got out of my chair and ran the rest of the way.”

Britain’s Olympic gold medal winning hero Mo Farah won his third consecutive run in the elite section, in just over an hour.

He mimed kicking a ball and did former England captain Alan Shearer’s trademark goal celebration as he crossed the finishing line.

He said “That celebration was for Shearer, I think he is a legend. He's one of the greatest players ever.

"I thought for the amount of people who come out here and give me the support, let's give them something back.

"Even though I'm a massive Arsenal fan, there was a load of Geordies here.”

A statue of the Newcastle United legend is being unveiled at St James’ Park this week and the club’s top goalscorer joked the people of Newcastle have made a statue for Mo Farah for his hat-trick of Great North Run wins.

Farah's wife Tania also took park in the event as a fun runner and finished in under one hour 50 minutes.

He said: “I think it’s pretty amazing for her to run that quick.

“It is a tough course. Hopefully, I’ve been able to help her out a bit, in terms of the coaching.

“I’ve been setting out the programme and trying to help her with what to do.

“Mentally, I’ve just been trying to help her out. Even this morning, she was really nervous, saying, ‘I’m going to be sick, I’m going to be sick’.

“I was telling her to chill out, but she couldn’t. I’ve just tried to be there for her.

“That’s the most important thing.”

Charity runners raised hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of pounds by taking part in the race, with some donning fancy dress to bring a sense of fun to the occasion

Dinosaurs, unicorns, yetis and a pantomime dromedary could be spotted, along with characters from Star Wars, such as storm troopers and Darth Vader, Batman and Robin, and Fred Flintstone.

David Hart, communications director for The Great Run Company said: “It has been an incredible day and a magnificent weekend.

“It has been the North-East at its best. It has been a bit warm at times, but a nice breeze kept runners refreshed.

“The crowds down the route were exceptional and there was incredible support from start to finish.

“The Great North Run is called the world’s favourite run for a good reason.”

As ever, as people poured over finishing line at the coast, the crowds at South Shields were treated to a spectacular aerobatic display from the Red Arrows, who also flew over the Tyne Bridge at the start of the race.

Metro bosses laid on extra trains to get people home after the event, but there were still reports of people waiting for up to 90 minutes mid-afternoon.

Runners had travelled from not just the rest of the country, but the rest of the world to take part.

This year’s run featured participants from 178 United Nations member states, more than any other running event in history.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised the event, describing the half marathon as a "true celebration of humanity, commitment and personal achievement".

In a message sent to the Great Run Company, he said: “It is a great pleasure to send my best wishes to all the participants in the Great North Run, which epitomises the power of sport to bring people together.

“The Great North Run is a true celebration of humanity, commitment and personal achievement.

“In a culture that loves to celebrate winners, this event makes winners of all its participants.”