DOZENS of runners from the Grimsby area joined the thousands who took part in yesterday's Great North Run.
Athletes from Cleethorpes Athletic Club, Wolds Veteran Runners Club, Louth AC and Barton and District AC lined up to test themselves over the popular half-marathon.
Pick of the crop locally was Wolds Vet Andy Pegg, who clocked one hour 20 minutes and 30 seconds.
First Clee AC athlete over the line was Jason Clark in 1:30.27, while Colin Creasey was first Louth AC member back in 1:45.10. First for Barton AC runner was David Manifold in 1:35.30. A little further afield, top Lincoln Wellington duo Ian Kimpton and Tom Doe finished 19th and 21st respectively in super times of 1:05.13 and 1:05.34.
In the elite race, Wilson Kipsang snatched victory from fellow Kenyan Micah Kogo thanks to a dramatic sprint finish.
Kipsang, who won the London Marathon earlier this year and claimed bronze over the same distance at the Olympic Games, pipped Kogo to the victory in a time of 59 minutes and six seconds.
Ethiopia's Imana Merga finished third and Chris Thompson was the highest place Briton in sixth with a time of 61 minutes exactly.
In the women's race, Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba powered to victory on her half marathon debut.
The three-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion, who became the first athlete to retain in the Olympic 10,000 metres title this summer, saw off the challenge of 2011 world marathon champion Edna Kiplagat and 2012 Olympic marathon champion Tiki Gelana to claim the victory.
Dibaba finished with a time of 67 minutes 32 seconds, just outside of the symbolic 67-minute mark for the women's race.
Britain's Jo Pavey finished in fifth place, just outside of her personal best.
Bupa Great North Run 2012 – local results
Cleethorpes Athletic Club: Jason Clark 01:30:27; Nik Forman 01:30:32; Darren Rowe 01:33:09; Dave Smith 01:37:46; Elliot Bareham 01:55:59; Simon Pollard 01:57:03; Louise Yorston 02:02:30; David Peck 02:06:47; Malcolm Simons 02:08:23; Natalie Williams 02:09:46; Debbie George 02:17:28; Jason Neilson 02:17:50; Rob Allenby 02:18:06; Kate Ellis 02:26:42; Susan Jarvis 02:26:43.
Wolds Vets: Andy Pegg 01:20:30; Diane Pegg 01:47:23; Steven Burke 01:47:44; Neil Pattison 01:51:23; Nicola Clifford 01:52:57; Jayne Smith 01:53:25; Richard Smith 01:54:13; John Kendall 01:54:41; Mark Hodson 01:57:32; Nicola Wright 02:01:31; Peter Tarn 02:05:02; Steve Critten 02:13:43; Kathleen Young 02:42:06.
Louth AC: Colin Creasey 01:45:10; Amanda Young 01:55:18; Jane Cope 02:05:50.
Barton & District AC: David Manifold 01:35:30; Simon Holmes 01:46:01; Scott Smith 01:46:49; Daisy Bell 02:08:57; Melanie Walker 02:19:36.
