THOUSANDS of people throughout the region pulled on their running shoes for Sport Relief Day.

An estimated 4,000 people took part in BBC North East's effort at Newcastle's Exhibition Park while 4,600 completed the official mile event at Roundhay Park in Leeds.

Late on Saturday night, the BBC announced that Sport Relief had raised more than £11m.

Several hundred "serious" competitors headed the North-East mile, with John Harper, of Newcastle, first home in 4 min 54 sec, his first run of any sort since the London Marathon in April.

They were followed by the more leisurely runners, with CBBC's Kirsten O'Brien enjoying her run so much that she completed the course a second time.

Gold medal winning paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson started the first group and then tackled the course herself, accompanied by her two-year-old daughter Carys.

"It was nice. We just took our time, and took the chance to say 'hello' to people and enjoy the atmosphere," she said. "It's good that there's something like this so many people can participate in."

The Redcar athlete is busy preparing for her latest Paralympic medal bid, in Athens in September.

Nationally, the runs attracted an estimated total of 81,000 runners, sporting the event's symbolic single red sock to aid poverty relief charities in both Britain and abroad.

Members of Marsh House Harriers, in Billingham, completed the mile at Billingham Synthonia FC while youngsters from the Sport Ability Club ran at the town's Northfield School. They raced around the track in a variety of ways including wheelchairs, walking and the conga.

Emma Warnes, sports development officer at Stockton Borough Council, said: "Everyone took part with such enthusiasm and sportsmanship that the atmosphere was one of fun and enjoyment."

Staff and 100 prisoners at Deerbolt young offenders institution, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, took part in a sponsored mile run in the prison grounds.

Royal runner Prince William led the way in London while Prime Minister Tony Blair completed his mile circuit at Chequers on Friday. Singer Rachel Stevens competed in Birmingham, Jonathan Davies in Cardiff, and Nicky Campbell in Edinburgh.