CHARITY was the winner as 49,000 people took to the streets yesterday for the annual Great North Run.

The half-marathon, which has gained a national and international reputation since its launch in 1981, is expected to raise millions of pounds for good causes.

The men's event was won by Bejene Berhau, the first Ethiopian victor, who broke the course record. The women's competition was won by the Australian Benita Johnson.

But for the majority the race was the chance to raise money for causes close to their heart.

Mother-of-two Christina Wilson, 44, from Swindon, Wiltshire, was among 260 participants supporting the breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.

Her mother survived breast cancer but Ms Wilson has lost a friend to the disease.

Mrs Wilson, who power-walked the course in three hours, five minutes, said: "It was good fun. The best bits were the beginning and the end. When I came in it was a really good atmosphere."

Mrs Wilson had never taken part in the event before but has entered other fundraising events for the charity.

She said: "It was quite an experience. I saw a Viking Longboat go past, an Emu and there was a fireman in his helmet that was all steamed up. I thought he was mad."

Rachel Hills, who is originally from Durham City but now works in public relations in Aberdeen, ran the course with her boyfriend, Matthew Camm, to raise money for Leukaemia Research in memory of her brother, Chris, a university student, who died of the disease a year ago to the day.

"We did it in two hours, 13 minutes and five seconds by my watch. We crossed the line holding hands."

Miss Hills is hoping the effort will have raised about £3,000 for the charity.

She said: "It was a really good day, excellent. It was amazing to see all these people raising money for different charities.

"It was a great atmosphere. I think Chris would have been proud."

TV sport presenter and Question of Sport host Sue Barker said: "It was lovely, the weather was terrific. If it had been hotter it would have affected the runners."

A spokesman for the organisers, Nova International, said: "It has been a great success. There are any number of human stories out there.

"The organisation ran like clockwork and while one or two runners were worse for wear and needed treatment, we haven't heard of any serious injuries."