The Great North Run is the world's most popular half-marathon road-running event, with more than 47, 000 competitors of all abilities.

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Then, one day when they were running a half-marathon together, Phil suffered an aneurism and was rushed to the hospital in a coma.

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After running my first half-marathon I was hobbled for six months with achilles tendonitis that required a trip to a sports medicine doctor and multiple physical therapy sessions.

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Amateur runner Dean Irvine, recently completed a half-marathon and says before he started running he went to a specialty running store where the staff watch you run up and down the street outside so they recommend shoes that are correct for the runner's gait.

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"I've always had a competitive side, but Spark has given me the chance to appreciate my successes as opposed to comparing myself to everyone else, " Rones said after running the half portion of the Surf City marathon.

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If you're looking for relaxation with a side of daily physical exercise on tropical terrain, look no further than running-themed cruises like the Caribbean Islands Half and Full Marathon Cruise.

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She designated 2012 as the year of running: She ran her first 5K in May and her first half marathon later that year.

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In the 30th running of the event, run in cool, overcast conditions, the half marathon world record-holder finished 1:50 ahead of Kimutai with Morocco's Jaouad Gharib third.

BBC: Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie wins the Great North Run