Gete Wami kicks to victory at the Great North Run (© Mark Shearman)
Two of the biggest and most prestigious road running events in the world; the Bupa Great North and Bupa Great South Run, have been given IAAF Gold label status. They join the Bupa Great Manchester Run which was given the same status earlier this year.
The Bupa Great North Run (Half Marathon) is staged in Newcastle Upon Tyne, with the Bupa Great South Run (Ten Miles) takes place in Portsmouth.
Only the Great Run Series of races organised by Nova International, and the Flora London Marathon, of the hundreds of road races organised in the UK each year, hold the Gold Label category.
Both events attract many of the world's greatest athletes which was a key factor in them receiving membership of a very elite club which by the end of next year will have no more than 20 Gold Label events affiliated.
This, plus the fact the meetings receive live and worldwide television coverage plus together with extremely high standards of organisation and drug testing procedures, were key elements in their recognition.
Nicola Hedley – NOVA International (organisers) – for the IAAF
