ROCK legend Mark Knopfler will kick-off a spectacular opening ceremony ahead of this year’s Great North Run.
Organisers are staging a special event to celebrate the number of runners in the half-marathon’s 33-year history passing the one million mark and Knopfler, the Newcastle-bred former Dire Straits guitarist, will get things underway.
The ceremony will take place on the Tyneside quayside on Thursday, September 4, ahead of the race three days later.
Knopfler said: “I’m proud to have been a supporter of this great event from the beginning and am looking forward to being there to play Local Hero once more on September 4 when the Bupa Great North Run gets ready to notch up its millionth finish.”
Great North Run founder Brendan Foster said: “We’re absolutely thrilled. Dire Straits’ music was our soundtrack in the early days of the Great North Run and that particular track has now become the Great North Run anthem.
“What better way to kick-off this world first event?”
The ceremony will be scripted by North-East author David Almond and delivered by Bradley Hemmings, co-artistic director of the London 2012 Paralympic opening ceremony.
Tickets for the event are on sale now, priced £12 for adults, £7 for children. To book, visit gnrmillion.org
The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC Two on Sunday, September 7, as part of its Great North Run coverage.
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