Get ready for the Great North Run!

More than 54,000 people are expected to take part in the famous half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields tomorrow.

World 5,000m champion Mo Farah is acting as honorary starter.

Just before he fires the starting pistol, the Red Arrows will bring colour to proceedings by flying over the start line.

At 11.05am, the display team will fly over the Tyne Bridge with a gap in their formation as a mark of respect and honour to their former colleague, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, who was known as Red 4.

He died last month after taking part in the Bournemouth Air Festival and his widow, Emma, will be running to raise funds for charity set up in his name.

David Hart, communications director of race organisers Nova International, said: “It is going to be a salute to him and I think it is going to be very poignant and emotional.

“There are 54,000 stories behind the Great North Run because everyone has a reason for taking part but that is going to be one of the more compelling ones.”

The course runs from Spital Tongues, in Newcastle, to South Shields over 13.1 miles and professional athletes and celebrities, as well as amateurs, will be taking part.

Mr Hart said: “It is a culmination of 18 months of work, but we are very much in the home straight now and excitement is building. The eyes of the nation are on the North-East and we have a huge weekend ahead.”

The race has become famous for the flamboyant costumes worn by some participants as they raise money for good causes.

Meanwhile, figures released this week revealed the event is worth more than £22m to businesses and charities across the region.

Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, said: “It’s a real showcase event for us, Massive numbers of people come to the region to take part and having images of Tyneside beamed across the globe on live television is the best advert you could ever ask for.

“The impact it has both on our economy and our profile internationally is impossible to overestimate.”