THE 21st Great North Run, the world's biggest half-marathon, takes place on Sunday with a field of 47,000 runners.

Entrants of all ages and abilities will line up near Newcastle hoping that the months of training and effort will pay off.

While the eyes of athletics fans will be on the elite men's and women's races, the thousands of spectators lining the 13-mile route between the city and South Shields will be cheering on the many fun runners.

For these people, who will never trouble the record books, the day is about achieving self-set goals and improving personal best performances.

And it is about fun and camaraderie - there is sure to be a sprinkling of runners dressed in fancy dress adding to the colour spectacle.

Many will be running to raise vital funds for charities and causes dear to their hearts.

Last year's millennium run featured a record 50,000 entries, making it Britain's biggest mass participation event.

"We are expecting 47,000 entrants this year," said Nichola Hedley, of run organisers Nova International.

"We had to cut it down this year on the advice of the police for safety reasons.

"We have been turning away people who wanted to take part. I don't know how many exactly, but it was quite a few.''

Given the tragedies in New York and Washington, there will be a minute's silence before the run, led by the Bishop of Newcastle, the Right Reverend Martin Wharton.

The event, sponsored by Bupa, attracts leading international runners from many countries as well as participants from all corners of the country.

As well as boosting the area's profile through TV coverage, the influx of so many people is a welcome boost for the region's tourist industry, which is trying to recover from the effects of the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Ms Hedley said: "All the hotels are booked. A lot of people come up the night before and they'll be having meals on the Saturday night. It does bring money to the region."

Last year's run raised an estimated £5.5m for charity through runners collecting sponsorship.

Among the many from the North-East who will be helping good causes by their efforts on Sunday are Eileen Leonard, from Darlington, who will be doing her 14th run to raise money for the town's St Teresa's Hospice.

Teesside policeman Dave Peacock will be raising funds for the haematology unit at Middlesbrough General Hospital and his vest will be decorated with the badges of the 51 primary schools sponsoring him.

There will be a fair few celebrities to watch out for among the runners, including former boxing champion Frank Bruno, Sally Gunnell, the former Olympic gold medal hurdler, Emmerdale actress Emma Atkins, BBC TV sports presenters Ray Stubbs, John Inverdale and Steve Ryder and commentator John Motson.