The City of Manchester was the perfect host to Britain’s biggest 10k running event yesterday, as Jo Pavey thrilled the thousands of spectators to become the first athlete to retain her Bupa Great Manchester Run title.

In total, a record 24,000 runners crossed the finish line on Deansgate, between them racking up an astounding distance of six times round the world.

Britain’s Pavey eclipsed some notable names in Olympic year to triumph and she paid tribute to the people of Manchester who lined the streets to support the runners.

“The atmosphere was electric out there today.” she said “I love coming to Manchester to compete and the crowds definitely spurred me on. The win and the fact I’m not feeling any after effects has given me lots of confidence and I’m looking forward to continuing my preparations for Beijing.”

Manchester City Council, who have supported the event since its inception, were represented by dozens of runners including leader Sir Richard Leese, who ran an impressive 43 minutes 46 seconds on his Bupa Great Manchester Run debut, finishing 1,029th overall.

Celebrities were out in force at the event, with actor Tony Audenshaw, who plays Bob Hope in Emmerdale, first home in a time of 40 minutes 58 seconds, being dressed as Tarzan! Gordon Burns, BBC North West presenter, defied a painful knee problem to post a time of 56:13.

One of the highlights of the event was the special recognition given to Manchester’s first Olympic hero, Emil Voigt who, one hundred years ago, became Britain’s only Olympic gold medallist in the five mile event at the 1908 London Olympics. On Sunday, only 52 people bettered his time of 25 minutes 11.2 seconds and each person will receive a special certificate designed by his granddaughter Robin, who was flown in from Sydney to mark the occasion.

The seventh Bupa Great Manchester Run will take place on Sunday 17th May, organisers Nova International have confirmed.

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