OLYMPIAN Kate Reed marked her first outing since last summer’s Beijing Games by winning the inaugural Bupa Great North 10km title in Sunderland.

Reed, who competed in the 10000 metres in China carrying an Achilles injury which later required surgery, showed she had recovered well. The experienced British international took an early lead and went on to win the race in an impressive time of 33 minutes 22 seconds.

‘‘It’s been a long time getting back and I wasn’t sure what might happen so I’m really pleased with that,’’ said Reed. ‘‘The times weren’t fast because the wind was strong and swirling, particularly on the seafront.

‘‘I didn’t know what shape I would be in but it’s better than I thought, and it was really nice to win my first race in my comeback.’’ Reed, who chose the Great Run event rather than compete at the UK World trials and challenge for a 10000m in Berlin next month, added: ‘‘I did think about running the trials , but really it would have been silly.

‘‘I would much rather ease my way back and I wasn’t really willing to take the risk as all my training has been on grass rather than the track.’’ Scotland’s Hayley Haining, who was on standby to replace Paula Radcliffe if the world record holder pulled out of last summer’s Olympic marathon, ran on her own behind Reed, finishing in 34mins 12secs. Ireland’s Rosemary Ryan was kept company by local runner Alyson Dixon and world distance running legend Tegla Loroupe, before pulling away to take third place in 34:30.

Chester-le-Street’s Dixon clocked 35:06, while Kenyan Loroupe finished fifth in 35:30.

South African half marathon champion Stephen Mokoka successfully stepped down in distance to outpace his rivals and win in 29:20.

Mokoka was always in control before out-sprinting fellow Africans Tsegai Tewelde and Tsegezead Woldmichael.

‘‘It was a very tough race and the wind was very strong,’’ said Mokoka, who will be returning to British soil for the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Birmingham on October 11.

‘‘Now I am looking forward to coming back to England again, where I know I can run a fast time.’’ Tewelde, although offering a gallant challenge, finished four seconds behind Mokoka whilst Woldmichael fell out of contention, clocking a time of 29:33.

The Eritrean-born athletes who settled in Scotland after the 2008 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, surprised their more experienced opponents, particularly 2004 Olympic marathon champion Stefano Baldini who clocked 29:40.

Four members of Sunderland Women's FA Cup Final and promotion-winning squad also took part as part of their pre-season training, while Hollyoaks soap star Stephen Beard, aka 'Archie'

ran in support of the Alzheimer's Society sponsor Bupa's nominated charity for 2009.

Lynsey Stephenson, of organiser Nova International, said it appears to be an excellent addition to the fun running race series in the region.

She said: "It was good weather for running, with only a little bit of a shower and the course was nice and flat. The intention is to build on this for next year. We'll talk with Sunderland City Council, but the feedback from everyone was excellent."