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60-526: The Great North Run (branded the AJ Bell Great North Run for sponsorship purposes) is the largest half marathon in the world, taking place annually in North East England each September. Participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields . The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster . The first Great North Run

120-548: A 58 year old male runner died. The 2020 Great North Run was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . The 2022 event cancelled its Junior and Mini events due to the death of Elizabeth II . Eddie Howe started the 2023 Great North Run for the 60,000 participants. The race was Mo Farah 's last ever before his retirement. The 2024 Great North Run took place on 8th September and was started by Olympic Silver Medalist Kieran Reilly . A 29 year old male runner died after collapsing during

180-549: A British supermarket chain which owned 479 stores, giving Morrisons a larger presence in southern England. The company was purchased for £3.3 billion, comprising 1 new Morrisons share (enabling Safeway shareholders to have a 50% stake in the enlarged group and reducing the Morrison family's shareholding to 18%), plus 60 pence in cash (paid for by the divestment of 52 overlapping stores) for each Safeway share held. The acquisition quickly ran into difficulties caused in part by changing

240-584: A bid, leading to speculation of a bidding war, but Apollo Global withdrew and supported the Fortress bid. On 6 August 2021, the Fortress-led consortium increased its offer to £6.7 billion ($ 9.29 billion) after Silchester International Investors , Morrisons largest shareholder, said the previous offer was too low. The Morrisons board once again recommended the deal to shareholders. However, on 19 August 2021 an improved offer of £7 billion from CD&R

300-452: A female-only race, the women's world record is 1:05:16, set by Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya in October 2020. Participation in half marathons has grown steadily since 2003, partly because it is a challenging distance, but does not require the same level of training that a marathon does. In 2008, Running USA reported that the half marathon is the fastest-growing type of race. The concept of

360-453: A few weeks, Safeway carrier bags were replaced by those of Morrisons, and Morrisons own-brand products began to appear in Safeway stores. Originally 52 shops were to be compulsorily divested after the takeover. Two closed for other reasons, John Lewis Partnership purchased 19 to be part of its Waitrose chain, J Sainsbury plc purchased a further 14, and Tesco bought 10 in October 2004. At

420-496: A fifth of the 23p going to UK farmers. Morrisons later changed the scheme in 2017 such that the total additional payment went directly to a selected group of 300 British farmers. A smaller group of 50 farmers were tasked with supplying the range, with additional welfare standards applied to the production of the milk. From March 2020, the company aimed to cut down 3,000 management roles, and created 7,000 shop-floor jobs as part of its restructuring plan. In December 2020, Morrisons

480-578: A number of private equity firms about taking the company private. They were said to be unhappy about the company's financial performance, and Dalton Philips's corporate strategy. Following a new three-year corporate strategy revealed in March 2014 aimed at recovering sales and market share, at Morrisons Annual General Meeting in June 2014 Morrisons former chairman Sir Ken Morrison criticised Dalton Philips's approach. Morrison's nephew Chris Blundell, who controls most of

540-461: A pre-tax loss of £33 million. Morrisons' net debt obligations had been £3.2bn before the CD&;R takeover, and had increased to £7.5 billion. A former senior Morrisons executive said "[CD&R] paid too much and now they have to claw that back". Unlike any other UK supermarket, Morrisons has a manufacturing arm including abattoirs , vegetable packing houses and fish processing plants comprising

600-540: A vertically integrated supply chain. An industry insider suggested that this may be sold, which would mean a complete change of course for the company. On 6 November 2023 Rami Baitiéh succeeded David Potts as Chief Executive. The financial results have been as follows: In July 2020, Morrisons had 497 superstores in the United Kingdom, including those it retained following its purchase of Safeway plc. Until 2004, Morrisons superstores were largely concentrated in

660-509: A well-publicised crash in UK milk prices in November 2015, Morrisons launched a variety milk labelled 'For Farmers', with a large Union Jack on the label, claiming an extra 23p per 4-pint bottle would to be given to farmers – 10p per litre. Following complaints, Morrisons admitted that the extra money was actually paid to the supplier of the milk, Arla Foods , to be divided among several countries, with only

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720-722: Is a list of other times equal or superior to 58:43: Below is a list of other times equal or superior to 1:05:07: This table lists the best half marathon performances per year since 1970, as recorded by the ARRS . The largest half marathon ever held was Broloppet (the Bridge race) between Copenhagen in Denmark and Malmö in Sweden with 79,719 finishers, held in connection with the Øresund Bridge inauguration in 2000. Morrisons Wm Morrison Supermarkets Limited , trading as Morrisons ,

780-495: Is nearby, and there is a rotisserie counter named Oven Fresh . Following the failure of the supermarket's M Local stores, Morrisons returned to the convenience market in 2016 with a new chain of five trial forecourt stores under the Morrisons Daily brand in partnership with Motor Fuel Group . Soon after in 2017, this trial ended with the stores closed and a new partnership was formed with Rontec to open 40 stores across

840-574: Is the fifth largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom. As of 2021, the company had 497 supermarkets across England, Wales and Scotland, and one in Gibraltar . The company is headquartered in Bradford , England. Founded in 1899 by William Morrison , hence the abbreviation Wm Morrison, it began as an egg and butter stall in Rawson Market, Bradford. Until 2004, its store locations were focused in

900-569: The English Midlands and the North of England , but had expanded southwards, beginning with a store at Erith , Greater London, which opened in 1998. In April 2021, Morrisons said that it would replace plastic bags with paper bags to cut plastic use. Most Morrisons superstores have produce in Market Street . Packaged meat is near or next to a butcher's counter, a delicatessen with cheese fridge

960-639: The Isle of Man , the Douglas store was sold to Shoprite and the Ramsey store was sold to The Co-operative Food . The Gibraltar store was originally offered for sale, but was ultimately converted. In November 2006, plans were submitted for the extension and redevelopment of the store to introduce the full Morrisons format. In September 2005, the company announced the closure of former Safeway depots in Kent, Bristol and Warrington with

1020-574: The North of England but, with the takeover of Safeway in that year, the company's presence increased significantly in the South of England , Wales and Scotland. As of February 2021, Morrisons employed 110,000 employees and served around 11 million customers each week. The company was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) in October 2021. Many changes were made after

1080-554: The Better Chicken Commitment (BCC), banning the use of fast-growing breeds susceptible to lameness and heart attacks, and giving birds natural light and more space. The company responded that they cared about animal welfare, required suppliers to maintain standards, and had asked for a full investigation. In June 2021, Morrisons rejected a £5.5 billion takeover bid from private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) believing it "significantly undervalued"

1140-805: The CEO of Marks & Spencer in December 2009, and Dalton Philips was appointed as his replacement in January 2010. In 2010, Morrisons signed a deal with budget retailer Peacocks , the first concession store opened as part of a refurbishment at the retailer's store in Idle, Bradford. The Peacocks section was rolled out into other stores before launching its own children's-wear brand 'Nutmeg' into 85 stores on 21 March 2013. The first Morrisons M local store opened in Ilkley , Yorkshire, in 2011. All M Local stores were later rebranded as

1200-458: The Channel Islands to the Morrisons Daily format, including the former Benest's of Millbrook store at Lisbon House. A partnership agreement in 2021 saw Morrisons and McColl's committing to the conversion of 300 existing McColl's convenience stores into Morrisons Daily stores over the next three years, following a successful trial of 30 conversions in the months prior. This extension is of

1260-533: The Great North Run. The 2016 Great North Run was the first staging of the event without a title sponsor. Simplyhealth became the new lead sponsor for 2017. AJ Bell was announced as the new lead sponsor for the Great Run series in 2023 in a 5-year partnership In 2004 a runner died (the eighth death in the event's then 24-year history). The 2005 Great North Run was the twenty-fifth edition of the race. Events to mark

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1320-406: The Morrisons Daily fascia. In February 2023, 16 months after the CD&R takeover of the 124-year-old chain, it was reported as having "fallen into a hole that just keeps getting deeper". The chain's underlying profits had dropped by 15% to £828 million in the year ending 30 October; sales dropped by 4.2% despite prices increasing sharply—implying an even greater loss in volume of sales—for

1380-507: The Morrisons takeover, to Asda. Waitrose purchased five stores in 2005, followed by six more on 18 July 2006, including the former Safeway store in Hexham , Northumberland, which became England's most northerly Waitrose branch. In May 2005, Morrisons announced the closure of Safeway and BP joint venture convenience store/petrol station. Under the deal, the premises had been split 50/50 between

1440-554: The Somerfield supermarket chain in March 2009, it was required to sell a number of stores by the Competition Commission . Morrisons purchased 35 stores from the combined group, mostly trading under the Somerfield name. These new stores were the first of more than 100 identified by Morrisons for expansion into smaller supermarkets, with the aim of having a store within 15 minutes of every UK home. Marc Bolland departed to become

1500-506: The accounting systems six weeks before the transaction was completed, leading to a series of profit warnings being issued by Morrisons, poor financial results and a reversion to manual systems. The programme of store conversions from Safeway to Morrisons was the largest of its kind in British retail history, focusing initially on the retained stores which were freehold , over 25,000 sq ft (2,300 m ) with separate car parks. Within

1560-498: The acquisition, and it was felt that Morrisons' "northern" format did not work as well in the south. To reinvigorate its new national image, Morrisons appointed Dutchman Marc Bolland , the chief operating officer of Heineken , as its new Chief Executive. On 13 March 2008, Sir Ken Morrison retired as chairman after 55 years at the company, and was made Honorary President. When the Co-operative Group completed its takeover of

1620-572: The anniversary included the launch of the Great North Run Cultural Programme at the Sage Gateshead . The race was started by Mike McLeod , the winner of the inaugural race in 1981. During the race, four participants died en route to South Shields. An inquest into the four deaths from 2005 began on Monday 5 June 2006 at Gateshead Council Chambers. In subsequent events, more emergency service personnel were brought in to ensure there

1680-620: The city centre, then crosses the Tyne Bridge into Gateshead . It heads around the eastern side of Gateshead town centre, then at a roundabout turns east and heads down the A184 (the Felling Bypass) in the direction of Sunderland . After 3.5 miles (5.6 km), the route turns off the A184 and heads north-east towards South Shields down the A194 (Leam Lane). 2.5 miles (4.0 km) later, the route reaches

1740-565: The company in 1952, aged 21. In 1958, Morrisons opened a small shop in the city centre. It was the first self-service store in Bradford, the first store to have prices on its products, and it had three checkouts. The company opened its first supermarket , "Victoria", in the Girlington district of Bradford in 1961. In 1967, Morrisons became a public limited company listed on the London Stock Exchange . In March 2004, Morrisons acquired Safeway ,

1800-482: The company in March 2015. Morrisons also announced the closure of ten loss-making stores (eight former Netto UK stores and two former Somerfield stores, bought under Philips's leadership) in Cramlington , Accrington , Ravensthorpe , Bransholme ( Hull ), Telford , West Bromwich , Wallasey ( Seacombe ), Newton le Willows , Rugby and Crawley . In addition, six unprofitable convenience stores would close, and

1860-454: The company's forecourts. In 2019, Morrisons Daily stores operated by MPK Garages and Essar began to trade under a similar deal. In 2018, Morrisons agreed on a franchise and wholesale supply deal with SandpiperCI to operate 43 Morrisons Daily convenience stores in the Channel Islands, which were previously operated under the Nisa brand. By 2022, SandpiperCI had converted 19 of their stores in

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1920-475: The company. In July 2021 a bid to take over Morrisons, led by US private equity firm, Fortress Investment Group and backed by the Canada Pension Plan and Koch Industries , valuing the company at £6.3 billion ($ 8.7 billion), was made. This bid was provisionally accepted by the board, subject to shareholder approval, on 3 July 2021. Following the Fortress bid, Apollo Global were considering

1980-446: The cost of 720 jobs. In September 2015, Morrisons announced the sale of its 140 M Local stores to Mike Greene and Greybull Capital , to be re-branded My Local , for £25 million and that it planned to close 11 supermarkets, with a reported 900 jobs lost. In January 2016 Morrisons bosses announced that a further 7 stores would be closing to help optimise their existing assets and address areas of underperformance. Following

2040-560: The fastest ever half marathon by a woman; however, the course was not eligible for records. That same year, Mo Farah won a record sixth consecutive men's Great North Run. The Great North Run starts in Newcastle upon Tyne on the A167 road (the central motorway), on the edge of both the city centre and the Town Moor . The route heads east and south down the motorway section, around the eastern side of

2100-690: The half-marathon emerged in the 1960s. The first half marathon was the Route du Vin Half Marathon founded in 1961. Although the race was technically not the official current distance until it was standardized in 1995. The event grew in popularity leading to the eventual establishment of the World Athletics Road Running Championships in 1992, originally titled the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. Below

2160-459: The largest half marathon and the 13th largest running race that year. In 2014, the event had 41,615 finishers, making it the largest half-marathon in the world as certified by Guinness World Records in 2016. For the first nine races, eight of them were held in June. Since 1990, the race has instead been held in the autumn, usually in September but occasionally in October. Since 1990, the earliest date

2220-541: The loss of 2,500 jobs. The Kent depot was later sold to upmarket rival Waitrose, and the Warrington one to frozen food rival Iceland. Part of the Bristol depot was sold to Gist. The store conversion process was completed on 24 November 2005 when the final Safeway fascia disappeared from the UK. Following the acquisition of Safeway, Morrisons encountered a number of difficulties. The company had issued five profits warnings since

2280-448: The men's event just ahead of Farah. Kenya's Priscah Jeptoo came first the women's race and multi Olympic Gold Medalist David Weir won the wheelchair event. In 2014 the 34th Great North Run had 57000 participants, celebrated the 1 millionth runner to cross the finish line, and was the first to have a British man win in 29 years. Mo Farah completed the race in exactly 1 hour, while Mary Keitany completed in 1:05:39 seconds - surpassing

2340-447: The morning of Sunday, 18 September 2011. The race was started by World 5,000-metre champion Mo Farah . In 2013 the 33rd Great North Run had 56000 participants, most of whom were raising money for charity. The elite races had Olympic Gold Medalists and World Champion long-distance runners participating including in the men's race, Mo Farah , Kenenisa Bekele and a regular supporter of the event, Haile Gebrselassie . Ethiopian Bekele won

2400-405: The previous course record of 1:05:40 by 1 second, a record held by Paula Radcliffe . Tracey Cramond, who was raising money for Butterwick Hospices, was the 1 millionth person to complete the run, stating she was "gobsmacked" and that it was her "moment of fame". The Great North Run was the first International Athletics Association Event (IAAF) event in the world to reach such a milestone. In 2015

2460-400: The race begins, however multiple vehicles including TV crews, emergency services, event staff, and a fleet of buses carrying participants' belongings are authorised to travel between Newcastle and South Shields on the closed course roads ahead of and following the participants. The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster . Foster

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2520-469: The race has been held on is 7 September (2014) and the latest is 22 October (2000). Bupa was the title partner of the Great North Run from the early 1990s until 2014, one of Britain's longest ever sports sponsorship agreements. In 2015 Morrisons announced their sponsorship of the Great Run series. In November 2015, the Great Run Company announced it was searching for a new title sponsor which includes

2580-568: The race incorporated the 1st IAAF World Half Marathon Championships . The event also has junior and mini races attached with these being run the Saturday before the main race on the Newcastle Quayside. Martin Mathathi holds the current men's course record with his run of 58:56 in 2011. In 2019, Brigid Kosgei 's women's course record of 64:28 bettered the previous mark by over a minute and was also

2640-519: The race. Key:     Course record     Course record Half marathon A half marathon world record is officially recognised by World Athletics . The men's world record time, pending ratification, is 57:30, set by Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia in October 2024 in Valencia, Spain . The women's world record, in a mixed-gender race, is 1:02:52, set by Letesenbet Gidey of Ethiopia in October 2021 in Valencia, Spain . In

2700-420: The remaining family stake in the supermarket, agreed, telling told the board it needed rescuing, and welcomed the decision by chairman Sir Ian Gibson to leave the business in June 2015. In June 2014, Morrisons announced that plans had been put in place to cut 2,600 jobs as a result of changes to its management structure. Morrisons stated that it had trialled the new structure and believed that better performance

2760-413: The roll-out of the convenience store chain would be slowed, as a batch of 40 sites would no longer be bought. In June 2015, Morrisons cut the price of 200 'everyday items' by up to 33% The store chain's like-for-like sales had fallen by 2.9% in the first three months of 2015, after falling 2.6% in the last three months of 2014. The company responded by deciding to 'simplify' its head office in Bradford at

2820-712: The short-lived " My Local " chain in 2015. In December 2012, a television advertising campaign which showed a dog being given pieces of Christmas pudding was criticised by the British Veterinary Association and the Kennel Club , as raisins are harmful to dogs. Morrisons said that veterinarian advice they received said that there would be minimal risk. In May 2013, Morrisons formed a partnership with Ocado to use its technology systems and distribution infrastructure to help launch its own online service. Richard Pennycook, who had joined Morrisons in October 2005,

2880-531: The southern side of Jarrow and it turns east down the A1300 (John Reid Road). The route passes through the south of South Shields (through Harton and Marsden ) until it reaches the seafront just over 3.5 miles (5.6 km) later, where it turns north up the A183. The last mile (1.6 km) of the route runs along the seafront road to the finishing line at South Shields. All roads on the course are closed several hours before

2940-531: The supermarket chain on a 25-year agreement, for a rent of £5.4 million per annum. Following a 3.1% drop in like-for-like sales in the Christmas 2014 trading period, Sir Ian Gibson stood down six months early and was replaced by former Tesco chief financial officer Andrew Higginson at the end of January 2015. On 25 February 2015, Morrisons named former Tesco director David Potts as its new chief executive. Dalton Philips and five other executives also left

3000-447: The takeover, and the company was struggling financially. Morrisons is the fifth largest supermarket in the United Kingdom by market share (8.8%), overtaken for fourth place by Aldi in September 2022. The company was founded in June 1899 by William Morrison, who started the business as an egg and butter merchant in Rawson Market, Bradford , England, operating under the name of Wm Morrison Limited . His son Ken Morrison took over

3060-558: The time Morrisons chose not to move into the convenience store sector, although it later did so with its M Local stores. In accordance with this policy decision, 114 smaller 'Safeway Compact' stores were sold to rival supermarket chain Somerfield in 2004 in a two-part deal worth £260.2 million. In Northern Ireland Morrisons sold the Safeway stores , and a store in Bangor that opened after

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3120-521: The two companies. Morrisons also sold Safeway's Channel Islands stores, in Guernsey and Jersey , to CI Traders where the stores continued to trade as Safeway , although the products they sold carried the brand names of chains such as Iceland . In 2011, Sandpiper CI/CI Traders sold the Channel Island Safeway stores to Waitrose, and the Safeway brand disappeared from the Channel Islands. On

3180-522: Was achieved via these methods. These cuts would primarily affect department manager and supervisory positions. Morrisons claimed they would create 1,000 jobs in Morrisons ;M local convenience stores and 3,000 in new supermarkets. Following this, Morrisons sold its distribution centre in Kent to a real estate investment company for £97.8 million. The depot in Kemsley was to be immediately leased back to

3240-473: Was adequate cover. In spite of increased medical provision at the 2006 race, a man in his twenties died. The 2007 Great North Run was held on 30 September and was started by former England and Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson . Kara Goucher defeated Paula Radcliffe in an impressive victory for the American. Goucher's winning time was 1:06:57. The 2008 Great North Run was held on 5 October and

3300-644: Was criticised for retaining Paula Vennells on its board, despite her role as CEO of the Post Office during the subpostmasters' scandal and criticism of her leadership there as "both cruel and incompetent" by a Conservative peer and various MPs. Vennells eventually left her role as a non-executive director on 26 April 2021. On 16 August 2021, a worker led a protest against the company for raising deformed birds at four of its intensive farms. The Independent reported that campaigners from Open Cages, Animal Equality UK and The Humane League UK were urging Morrisons to sign

3360-559: Was inspired after running in the Round the Bays Race in New Zealand in 1979, and has built upon the Great North Run with a series of other Great Run road races. The first Great North Run was staged on 28 June 1981, when 12,000 runners participated. By 2003, the number of participants had risen to 47,000. The 2011 event saw an announced field of 54,000. The number of finishers was 35,777 in 2007,

3420-456: Was recommended by the board of Morrisons to shareholders; the board dropped its recommendation for Fortress's offer. In October 2021 the £7 billion CD&R bid was accepted; the takeover was approved by the High Court on 26 October 2021. In May 2022, Morrisons purchased McColl's in a pre-packaged insolvency arrangement with its administrator, with all stores eventually converting to

3480-460: Was replaced as Chief Financial Officer at Morrisons in June 2013 by Trevor Strain, previously Finance Director Corporate. In February 2014, it emerged that younger members of the founding Morrison family, who own 10% of the company and who are thought to include two of Honorary President Sir Ken Morrison's children, William Morrison Junior and Andrea Shelley, along with Sir Ken Morrison's niece and her husband, Susan and Nigel Pritchard, had approached

3540-489: Was staged on 28 June 1981, when 12,000 runners participated. By 2011, the number of participants had risen to 54,000. For the first year it was advertised as a local fun run; nearly thirty years on it has become one of the biggest running events in the world, and the biggest in the UK. Only the Great Manchester Run and London Marathon come close to attracting similar numbers of athletes each year. The 1992 edition of

3600-473: Was started by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair . The 2009 Great North Run was held on 20 September and was started by the musician Sting . The 2010 Great North Run was the 30th running of the event and was held on 19 September and was started by TV presenters Ant & Dec . The number of finishers (half marathon only) was 39,459. The 2011 Great North Run took place on

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