Thousands of people are taking part in the Great North Run – one of the biggest half marathons in the world.

It is the 44th staging of the race, which starts in Newcastle, heads through Gateshead and South Tyneside before finishing in South Shields.

About 60,00 runners have entered, and are being cheered on by more than 200,000 supporters lining the 13.1-mile (21km) route.

As is traditional, there are famous faces at the start line to see off the runners – this year it is Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy and Nick Pope.

Pope said: “Slow and steady wins the race would be a goalkeeper’s stance on it.”

The elite wheelchair race began at 10:20 BST, followed by elite women at 10:25, the visually impaired race at 10:27 and elite men and masses at 10:50.

Waves for the masses continue until about 12:00, with many taking part in the race to raise money for charities.

The Great North Run’s founder, Sir Brendan Foster, said the event was “more popular, more famous, more in demand…the whole dimension of the thing is much bigger”.

“Interestingly, the age group is changing slightly, with more young people now taking up running,” Sir Brendan aid.

“The first Great North Run there were 8% of women running, last year 49% of the runners were women.

“I’m just so happy it’s taking place here in the North East, it has become iconic.”

Broadcaster and fitness coach Joe Wicks is among those taking part.

He was also one of the starters at Saturday’s Junior Great North Run, which saw more than 12,000 children race.

Wicks, who turns 40 later this month, said: “It’s all about moving. I’m not here to run fast.”