Dozens of people from across Cumbria headed to the north east to take part in the world’s largest half-marathon.

Keen runners and first-timers alike joined 57,000 people to follow hot on the heels of Sir Mo Farah and run from Newcastle to South Shields on Sunday morning.

Among them was the Thomas Graham team - made up of 11 staff members from the company, plus friends.

They were raising funds for Eden Valley Hospice, and have already topped £3,200.

A spokesman for Thomas Graham explained: “Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw are great local charities that helps families through the toughest times in their lives.

“They have played a big part in the lives of some of the people we work with, therefore this is just a small way of giving something back.”

Among those who took part was Mark Barron. He said: “The fantastic support along the whole course was my highlight - true northern spirit.”

Team mate Ewan Parish continued: “What a special half marathon: the atmosphere was amazing.

“I wasn’t sure at first how it would be running with 57,000 other runners, but I really enjoyed it and I didn’t really get held up at all.

“The amazing atmosphere was supplied by the countless numbers of supporters that came down to watch - and literally didn’t stop until the finish line.

“My particular highlights were provided by the run-through shower at Mile 10 and the unbelievably supportive crowds cheering everyone on.”

Colleague Nadene Gemson added: “This is something that I’ve always wanted to do, and doing it alongside the amazing people I work with, made it even better.

“Massive thanks to everyone for keeping us going.”

Also heading over from Cumbria were the team of Wiggonby Wonkey Donkeys.

Andrew Brooks, headteacher at Wiggonby C of E Primary School, was joined by four colleagues to take on the 13.1-mile challenge in warm weather.

Andrew said: “We were raising money for The North Of England Children’s Cancer Research Fund (NECCR) as they have supported the grandson of another colleague of ours.

“We called ourselves the Wiggonby Wonky Donkeys as we raised some money at the start of last year by getting our colleague, Elaine, reading the book Wonky Donkey without laughing.

“Our donations for the run are now more than £2,000, which is a great amount.”

Maryport’s own Simon Lawson emerged victorious, after bagging third place in the Men’s Elite Wheelchair race with a time of 45 minutes and 56 seconds.

The Carlisle shop boss was just seconds behind David Weir, who took home first place in 43 minutes and 29 seconds.

The city’s own musical star, Matt Pagan, who won primetime ITV show Britain’s Got Talent with his quartet Collabro, finished the run in two hours and 25 minutes.

Despite not completing the run within his target of under two hours, the 25-year-old, from Carlisle, has raised thousands of pounds.

Money collected will be sent to the Graham Wylie Foundation, a charity which supports a number of projects to educate children across the north east.

Speaking after finishing the run, Matt said: “It was all going well until the eighth mile when I tore a ligament in my knee.

“But despite that, I’m really pleased to have finished in the time that I have.

“Last year was the first time I did the Great North Run, and I did it in three hours and nine minutes, so this is a still a huge improvement.

“It’s the crowds that keep you going, the atmosphere was amazing.” He’s already signed up for 2020.

Among the runners were Lynsey Buckle and her team from Carlisle Youth Zone, Michelle Moffat, Martha Winn and Emily Robson - all of whom crossed the finish line in South Shields in three hours and 11 minutes.