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Brit Pavey shines on marathon debut

01/10/2006

Britain's Jo Pavey produced a gutsy display to finish fourth on her debut in Newcastle's Great North Run.

Ethiopian Berhane Adere edged out Kenya's Susan Chepkemi and Australian Benita Johnson in the closing stages to win the 13.1 mile race in just over one hour and ten minutes.

Pavey, who is a Commonwealth 5,000m silver medallist, was among the chasing pack but fell away and collapsed to the ground after crossing the finishing line.

The 33-year-old, who had been a doubt for the half-marathon with a calf injury, said afterwards she was disappointed with the final part of the race.

"I'm disappointed because I was enjoying the race but with six minutes to go I felt really weird and with 800m to go I felt really delirious and couldn't get to the line," she said.

"I'd love to try again and get some advice from Paula [Radcliffe]. I'd like to give it another go but I need some answers.

"But I can't seem to recover. I've had a bag of crisps. I'd love to try again."

In the men's race, South African Hendrick Ramaala won his third Great North Run after seeing off a late challenge from Dejene Berhanu and Dathan Ritzenhein to win in just over one hour and one minute.

The majority of the 50,000 competitors made the finish line in the 26th anniversary of the race that started in Newcastle and finished in South Shields.

Extra safety measures were in place this year after four runners died in 2005, but race organiser Nova today announced that a 29-year-old man died during today's race.

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