A record 54,000 people pulled on their trainers for this year's event, many raising cash for good causes.

Sting and England and Durham cricketer Steve Harmison fired the starting pistol yesterday to get the half marathon underway.

Steve said: "It was so exciting to be there and the atmosphere was incredible. It was a perfect day with blue skies and everybody smiling."

Glorious sunshine beamed down on the competitors, including celebrities such as chef Gordon Ramsey, model Nell McAndrew, EastEnders actors Kara Tointon and Joe Swash, and Hull City manager Phil Brown.

About 30,000 spectators lined the route, from Newcastle to South Shields, to cheer the participants to the finish line throughout Sunday.

TOP TEN Wearside Runners
Michelle Holt – 1:21:43
Martin Slater – 1:24:42
Brendan Conn – 1:25:21
Sean Smith – 1:25:30
Steven Medd – 1:26:25
Steven Duffy – 1:28:08
Martin Lawrance – 1:28:10
Gavin Sword – 1:28:25
Michael Coxon – 1:28:34
Lee Breheny – 1:28:50

Grandad Robert Chilton, 71, from Springwell, near Washington, took part in the 13.1 mile run for the 24th time.

Robert, who successfully beat prostate cancer in 2008, decided this year to raise cash for The Prostate Cancer Charity and made about £500.

Robert said: "It was a really good day. I will be back again next year without a doubt. I did it in about 2hours 50 minutes, which is not too bad.

"This is the 24th time I have done it and I keep slowing down every year, it must be as you get older.

"It was good to run it for The Prostate Cancer Charity because it helped save my life."

Another Sunderland runner, Scott Finney, 36, took part on behalf of the Peter David Lane Trust and the proceeds will go to the Brothers in Arms campaign.

Scott, said: "It was the first time I have done the race, but it was brilliant, I will be doing it every year from now on if they'll let me.

"I think I came in at about 1hour 39minutes, so I was really pleased with that time."

The runners also included Sir Bobby Robson's son Mark, who was running to raise funds for his late father's cancer foundation.