ATHLETICS legend Brendan Foster is to be the official starter for next month’s Simplyhealth Great North Run.

The former Olympic medallist, who fin 1981 founded the event which went on to become the world’s biggest half marathon, will set thousands of runners on their way from Newcastle to South Shields on September 10.

The Hebburn-born distance runner, who last month retired as a respected BBC commentator, said, “It will fulfil a long standing ambition to see the start of the Simplyhealth Great North Run and wish everyone all the best.

“When my colleagues at the Great Run Company suggested I should be the starter, I realised I’d actually never seen everyone set off.

“At least I’ll have a proper job on the day now and I’m really looking forward to the new experience.”

Brendan, who has run the event three times, will join a list of official starters over the last 36 years which includes Sir Mo Farah, Daley Thompson, Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer, Sting and TV stars Ant and Dec.

  • The Simplyhealth Great North Run, which has 57,000 accepted entries, will be broadcast live on BBC One from 09.30am to 13.30pm on Sunday, September 10 with highlights on BBC Two at 6pm.