MO FARAH became the first British winner of the men's race at the Bupa Great North Run for almost three decades when he triumphed on the seafront at South Shields this morning.

Farah emulated Steve Kenyon's victory in 1985 as he timed his sprint finish to perfection to ensure there would be no repeat of last year's heartbreak, when he missed out in the final strides.

Having shadowed Kenya's Mike Kigen for the majority of the half-marathon, double world and Olympic champion Farah made his decisive break with around 300m to go.

Kigen threatened to rally inside the final 100m, but Farah held his late surge at bay to triumph in a time of 1:00.01.

While there will be slight disappointment that he missed the hour barrier by one second, Farah will be delighted to have finally succeeded over the half-marathon distance.

The elite women's race was won by Kenya's Mary Keitany, who broke Paula Radcliffe's course record by a second as she powered clear of the field to win in a time of 1:05.39.

Britain's Gemma Steele achieved a huge personal best as she finished second, with her time of 1:08.13 taking her to third place on the British all-time list for the half marathon.

Olympic champion Shelley Woods won the elite womens' wheelchair race, with Middlesbrough Jade Jones coming home in second position.

Spain's Jordi Madeira won the elite men's wheelchair race, with Britain's Simon Lawson filling the runner-up spot.