THERE'S usually a buzz of anticipation at the start of the Great North Run as the runners line up for the start.

Yesterday, the noise generated by 47,000 runners, elite athletes and fun-runners, was quelled for 60 seconds.

The business of taking part in the world's biggest half-marathon was put to one side as the thoughts of the tide of people gathered on Newcastle's Central Motorway turned to the dead, injured and bereaved of last week's terror attacks on New York and Washington.

The silent tribute was led by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Michael Wharton, and was beautifully observed.

A spokesman for Bupa, sponsors of the event, said: "What happened a few days ago in the United States was a senseless slaughter of peoples' lives, involving not only United States citizens but people from many other countries."

Sally Gunnell, the former Olympic gold medal hurdler, who was taking part, said the horrors of the carnage at the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon were fresh in runners' minds.

"We were talking about it quite a lot at the start, and we were pleased the race was carrying on.

"We were thinking of them quite a lot, especially when we had the minute's silence."

Dave Martin, of organisers Nova International, said: "The minute's silence was very poignant. You could have heard a pin drop. I think it has been on people's minds and they really paid their respects at the start of the race.