Brigid Kosgei joins Vivian Cheruiyot at the front as they head along the sea front.

Cheruiyot won the London Marathon earlier this year, with Kosgei second.

That's eight miles chalked off for the men.

Mo Farah at the front of Jake Robertson and Bashir Abdi.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at the Great North Run

The sun is shining and the Red Arrows have just flown over the Tyne Bridge. The Great North Run at its finest.

Image source, BBC Sport

Paula Radcliffe
Women's marathon world record holder on BBC TV

When they drop onto the seafront they'll just hit a wall of noise.

Vivian Cheruiyot pulls clear at the front.

Martyna Snopek from Poland win's the women's elite wheelchair race in 63:02.

Betsy Saina looked to be suffering until a few helpful watchers came over to comfort her and offer her a drink.

There's always been a great community spirit surrounding the Great North Run, this just an example of it.

Thankfully, Saina looks like she'll be okay.

Image source, BBC Sport

That's 11 miles done and dusted.

Vivian Cheruiyot pushing the pace at the front, but she needs to work for this.

They will soon be heading down the hill to the sea front.

Last year, Louise Roberts had a place in the Great North Run but had to pull out after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

But she has returned this year, along with her husband Mark, after finishing her treatment.

Steve Cram
Commentator on BBC TV

Mo Farah is not hanging around here - he means business.

Mo Farah's pace is too much for Daniel Wanjiri as they pass through six miles.

The lead group is down to three.

The last mile was 4:20. That's the quickest of the day.

The pace has dropped under record pace, but they are still on to beat the hour mark.

For those of you in South Shields today, you'll also be treated to a full display by the Royal Air Force Red Arrows at 13:15 BST.

They are currently crossing over Newcastle city centre. Amazing scenes.

Image source, Getty Images

"They are as much a part of the Great North Run as the 50 thousand people running," says commentator Steve Cram.

Betsy Saina looks like she is out of the race. She is lying by the side of the road in some discomfort.

Vivian Cheruiyot, Joyciline Jepkosgei, Brigid Kosgei and Linet Masai lead the way at the front.

Saina is being assisted by some kind members of the public.

To show you the magnitude of this event, there are still people crossing the start line.

In other news, a rogue shoe has been spotted on the course.

Just one question though: Why did they leave it?!

Keep your eyes peeled at the finish line to find the one shoe bandit.

Do you know who it is? Can we use the power of the internet to reunite this person with their footwear? Tweet us using #getinspired

Image source, BBC Sport

Mo Farah leads the four-man breakaway through five miles.

Becky Grey
BBC Sport at the Great North Run

Superb fancy dress by Kathy, from Bradford. I asked her how it would be running in this.

“It’s going to be quackers,” was her reply.

Image source, BBC Sport

The four-man group are through 5km in 13:55, which is two seconds under record pace.

David Weir's time is confirmed as a course record 41:19.

Johnboy Smith takes a distant second place.

Mo Farah is up for this.

He is setting a fair pace at the front of what is now a four-man lead pack of Jake Robertson, Daniel Wanjiru and Bashir Abdi.

Louis: I was struggling for motivation for my 11 mile run today. Watching the Great North Run has made me eager to get out and reminds me why I love running.

King Lennox: Seeing the nearly 50,000 strong crowd of runners at the start line of the Great North Run makes me think maybe one day I could run a half marathon!

Shelley Davies: Watching the Great North Run and listening to all the stories of human resilience, kindness and triumph over adversity. What an inspiration... definitely the kind of society I want to be part of. Take care of yourself and take care of others!