The starting pistol was fired by TV double act Ant and Dec, and celebrity entrants included local X Factor winner Joe McElderry.

BBC: Thousands of runners complete Great North Run

Among these were high-profile shows such as The X Factor, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, New You've Been Framed and Coronation Street.

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As well, some bottles of Bufferin and Gas-X, with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013, or earlier, are included.

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