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Discus staff team up to raise vital money for The Stroke Association at Sunday’s Great North Run.

A record number of 54,000 people including many celebrities took to the streets of Newcastle yesterday when they took part in the world's biggest half-marathon, the Great North Run.r Two celebrities Sting & England cricketer Steve Harmison started the race by the pistol pistol into the blazing sunshine with the musician stating it was the first time he had held a gun in his life! 'It is so exciting to be here and the atmosphere is incredible,' he said The half-marathon runners were cheered on their way by an estimated 30,000 spectators. Celebrity entrants include EastEnders stars Kara Tointon and Joe Swash, Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana, Nell McAndrew, Ben Fogle and James Cracknell. Olympic rower Cracknell was the first of the celebrities to cross the line. The race was won by former world half-marathon champion Martin Lel who was forced to pull out of chasing a fourth title at the London Marathon in April due to a hip injury. The womens race was won by Jessica Augusto who was a surprise winner of the women's race in 1.09.08 The 30-year-old Kenyan completed the race in 59 minutes 32 seconds to regain the title he won in 2007. Britain's David Weir broke the men's wheelchair course record by over a minute, while American Amanda McGrory won the women's wheelchair title. The first Great North Run took place in June 1981 with 12,770 runners