It's the world's biggest half marathon, and it never fails to deliver when it comes to action and emotion. 

This year had both in equal measure as almost tropical weather conditions left many of the 60,000 runners struggling in temperatures not usually seen in the North East of England. 

The race also saw one of the real greats of world athletics bow out in his last professional race. Team GB Legend, Sir Mo Farah, called it a day with a very respectable fourth place finish. 

Farah won the Great North Run six consecutive times between 2014 and 2019, etching himself into the event's history and legendary status among the North East faithful who came out to support. Farah has called time on a glittering career which saw him win four Olympic and six World Championships gold medals.

The winner of the elite men's race was 2022 world marathon champion Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia. Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir won the elite women's race. There were two British winners in the elite wheelchair race, with Daniel Sidbury taking the men's gold and Samantha Kinghorn the women's.

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Away from the elite, some 60,000 people also took on the course of just over 21km. Many of them were running for charities. This event is expected to raise around $31 million for good causes in the region and much further afield.

CGTN spoke to Simon, who was taking on the course dressed as Marge Simpson in full make-up and wig. He told us: "I run for a children's cancer charity. I wanted to do fancy dress. I wanted to make people smile." 

Alan, from the English village of Huntly, had traveled up with his running club dressed as a group of Mini Mouses. He has been coming to the Great North Run since 1990.

This year Alan's group were running in aid of the British Heart Foundation. 

Zoe, who is raising money to keep her local air ambulance service operating, told us how important those funds are. "The Great North Air Ambulance Service saves lives all over the region. We are a small charity working locally, but because of events like this, we have raised over a hundred grand (thousand), which is crucial."

CGTN also ran the Great North Run. I was running to raise some money for an important cause to me, Alzheimer's Research UK. Like many others, my family has lost people to this most cruel of diseases. Hopefully, through donations to causes like Alzheimer's Research UK, other families won't have to in the future. If you can, please donate here.

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