Some of the world's best athletes are arriving in Newcastle this week ahead of taking part in the Great North Run and defending champion Hellen Obiri is among those who can't wait to spring into action.
Obiri, a two-time Olympic silver medallist and three-time world champion, ran the 2021 half-marathon in the remarkable time of 1:07:42 - with Scotland's Eilish McColgan hot on her heels crossing the finish line just six seconds later. The elite men's race was won by Marc Scott with an even faster time of 1:01:22 and he too will be back this year to defend his title in what is described as the best ever men's line-up.
Obiri has told of her excitement about returning to the Great North Run following last year's debut, which saw her continue the record of a Kenyan winning the Great North Run every year since 2013. This time she will face stiff competition from her compatriot Peres Jepchirchir who is the current Olympic Marathon champion - and the women’s only world record-holder - as well as the Ethiopian duo of Ayana Almaz, previous winner of a Olympic 10,000m title, and Hiwot Gebrekidan.
