The Great North Run is one of the UK'S most popular sporting (event). It is the biggest and best known half-marathon in the world. Around fifty-thousand competitors sign up (compete) in the Great North Run every September. Around one hundred thousand friends and family members line the roads to watch the race and cheer the runners on from the sidelines.
First (hold) in 1981, the Great North Run was to help raise money for charities and other worthy causes. A lot of people enjoy (participate) in the half-marathon, and men and women of all ages take part the race to help raise money for their favourite charity.
Running road races can be (tire). So not all runners manage to go the full (distant) and complete it and there are always someone fall by the wayside. Ambulances are kept on standby in case any runners need medical attention and bottled water is provided at (vary) stops along the way. (usual), around two hundred and fifty thousand bottles of water are handed out during the race alone.
