Ripon Runner finishes ninth in Great North Run women’s race - beating Mo Farah to the line

Green, who lives near RAF Dishforth, was the fourth fastest British female runner in a time of one hour 21 minutes 58 seconds, 14 minutes behind winner Mary Keitany.

Her day was made even better as she spent time chatting to double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah, who won the men’s race in 59.22.

The women’s race started 25 minutes ahead of the men’s race, allowing Green to receive the adulation from the crowd at the finish line two minutes ahead of Farah.

Green recovered from a stress fracture in her back earlier this summer to begin her training for next month’s Yorkshire Marathon in York.

And despite falling two minutes shy of her half marathon personal best, the 32-year-old was delighted with her performance.

Green, who only started running five years ago and is leaving North Yorkshire at the end of this month, said: “This year was the last chance, and I realised that I could get an elite place, so I thought, ‘why not give it a go?’

“The atmosphere was great and there was loads of people having barbecues and some even doing karaoke.

“The last mile was phenomenal. When you come down onto the sea front, that was amazing.

She added: “Running with the elite was incredibly hard. Most races I am surrounded by people and by men that pace you along but there wasn’t that many people to chase and follow.

“For the first 12 miles, I absolutely hated it, but then in the last mile, I really enjoyed it.”

After the race, the Ripon athlete managed to share a conversation with Farah, Britain’s most successful distance runner of all time.

“I was awe struck but it was such a pleasure to meet him,” Green said. “He’s a really lovely guy and was really chilled out. My main goal was to finish the race before Mo, and I’m so happy to have achieved it.”

Several club runners took on the world’s best through the streets of Newcastle on Sunday in a bid to break personal bests.

Ripon’s Douglas Scott managed a stunning 318th place against the 56,000 fun runners just under three minutes behind Green in 1:24:42.

Donna Riddler continued her fine form in 1:34:50, with Chris I’Anson finishing in 2:10:51, Julie Merrin in 2:11:35, and Tony Carr in 2:13:01.

Darren West was the first Harrogate Harriers member across the line in 904th place, clocking 1.30.58 for a half-marathon personal best.

Geoff Hirst (1.35.51) ran steadily but still shaved six minutes off his personal best.

Mark Hattersley, Jodie Peary, Angela Barker-Charleton and Wendy Marks also ran for the Harriers.

Eleven Wetherby Runners took part with Richard Bell leading the contingent home in 1:36:50. Gill Edmondson was first Wetherby woman in 1:43:04. David Fennah (1:38:40) and Garry Keenen (1:47:43) followed Bell and Edmondson. While Alison Mallorie-Lewis (2:00:45) and Mandy McVoy (2:24:42) were the second and third Wetherby women.

Also completing the iconic race were Geoff Lodge (1:52:03), Drew Ward (1:57:33), Lisa Wrigglesworth (2:28:17) and Nykie Dawe (2:35:17).

Ten Knaresborough Striders were led to the finish by James Wright, who clocked 1.30.50. Joining him were Dan Wilson (1:33:15), John Slater (1:46:27), Julian Carr (1:50:33), Jane Day (2:06:55), Edward Sutcliffe (2:06:58), Andrea Price (2:15:34), Dawn Richardson (2:22:08), Janet Morris (2:48:49) and Steve Morris (2:49:33).