However, the record breaker everyone was still watching for was the lucky runner who would become the millionth finisher since the event was first run in 1981. 

And that turned out to be entrant number 29,278, Tracey Cramond.

After passing the line Cramond - competing for local children's charity Butterworth Hospice in what was her second Great North Run - and a group of nearby runners were ushered away while the result was verified on photo-finish evidence.

Lucky it was not one of the race's many pantomime cows in the frame.

David Hart, of Nova International, broke the historic news to her before ushering her up to be interviewed by Jonathan Edwards on BBC alongside Sebastian Coe and the man who set up the Great North Run, Brendan Foster.

"I'm absolutely gobsmacked," Cramond said.

"I started running when my mum passed away in 2013 and I wanted raise funds for a children's charity because children meant so much to her.

"I ran for Great Ormond Street Hospital last year and this year I am running for my local hospice.

"I never get anything right, me.

"I couldn't win sand in a desert!"

Tracey Cramond, the one millionth finisher since the Great North Run began in 1981, takes part in an official presentation, having swapped her original vest number - 29,278 - for something a little more historic ©GNR

She then took part in an official presentation and flag-raising ceremony before contemplating which friend or relative to invite to her prize of a VIP reception and a meal at one of the North East's top curry restaurants.

"I've finally got my 10 minutes of fame!" she added.

"I think you'll find it last for a lot longer than that," said Coe.

Foster added: "This event is not about organisers, it's about the members of the public who turn up each year.

"To get a million runners doing this event is more than anybody could ever have believed.

"We didn't believe the British public would take to distance running like they have done.

"I've said it before, but this is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things."

After a year undermined by injury and illness, Farah, the Olympic and world 5,000 and 10,000 metres champion, returned to claim the same double at the recently concluded European Athletics Championships in Zurich, and in South Shields he finished his season off with another honourable victory.

He was, however, pushed to the line by training partner Mike Kigen of Kenya, who recorded the same time and looked almost as if he could have done more after regaining ground following Farah's final sprint 200m out.

The two men had run together for much of the race after dropping Uganda's world and Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich, who finished third in 61:35.

Tariku Bekele, whose brother Kenenisa, Farah's predecessor as Olympic 5,000 and 10,000m champion, out sprinted the Briton to this title last year.

Farah thus became the first British male to win this race since Steve Kenyon in 1985.

"It feels great but I had to dig in deep out there," Farah told BBC Sport.

"Mike kept on pushing and I just wanted to hang on in there and I knew I had the pace at the end.

"I was surprised how well he was running.

"With 200m to go I pushed but I didn't know how much I still had and as soon as I started to celebrate I saw Mike coming back at me again.

"I didn't think I could run that fast - the aim was to run 60 something - but it is great to finish the season with a win.

"I've learned a lot this year and it has been up and down.

"But now I want to take a break and relax and get ready for the World Championships next year."

Keitany, the 2012 London Marathon champion who has returned from time off to have a baby, was well clear of the rest of the field by the halfway stage.

Gemma Steel went third on the all-time British list in finishing second in 68:13, one place ahead of Ethiopia's Olympic marathon champion Tiki Gelana, who clocked 68:45.

Britain's Shelly Woods won her sixth title in the women's wheelchair race, while the men's wheelchair race was won by Jordi Madera of Spain.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2014: Sport England partners with Great North Run to help encourage more people to take up running
September 2014: IAAF President Diack to recognise special moment of history at Great North Run