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

The key factor behind the decline was residential construction, which stagnated in March after posting double-digit growth rates until January.

FORBES: Investors Step Back In Russia; Putin Gets Recession Wary

Diadexus drew headlines last month when it helped identify what may be a new risk factor in heart disease: a little-known protein produced by the body that can double the risk of heart attacks.

FORBES: Divining Disease

"Obviously, we have to factor in what happened in Boston, " the commissioner said, referring to the April 15 double bombing at the Boston Marathon that killed three people and injured more than 260.

WSJ: Israel Day Parade includes NY mayoral candidates