Wheelchair racers set for North
Last year's winners Kenny Herriot and Gunilla Wallengren will be bidding to retain their titles in Sunday's Great North Run Wheelchair race.
Herriot warmed up for the 13.1 mile race with victory in the recent Great Scotland Run in Glasgow.
The Scot will face a strong field, including former winners David Weir and Tushar Patel.
Blackpool teenager Shelly Woods will be hoping to better her second place in the women's race 12 months ago.
Weir is making a return to the roads after a successful summer on the track which saw him win double gold in the 100m and 200m demonstration events at the World Athletics Championships in Helsinki.
He went on to land gold, silver and bronze medals at the IPC Athletics European Championships.
"I've only had two weeks to get ready for this race so it has been difficult to adapt after the track work," admitted Weir.
"I'm not sure how I will do but the course certainly suits me."
Patel, who won in 2001 and 2002, is bidding for his third win around the Newcastle course.
"It's a good competitive race and there could be some fast times and I think it may come down to a sprint finish at the end," he said.
Woods finished second in the London Marathon earlier this year and will also be up against Francesca Porcellato who beat her on that occasion.
"I really enjoyed last year's race and with more experience under my belt it would be good to put in another good performance this time," said Woods.
"If the conditions are right, I know that the course record is within my reach."
Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, who has won the race eight times, most recently in 1999, will also be in action.