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It's early. It's chilly. The sky is clear and there is the first bite of Autumn in the air. Not many 27 year old lads are out on the streets of Thornaby in shorts and a t-shirt.

In truth, David Thompson isn't exactly over the moon about his situation, but this is the price he agreed to pay. In just a few days, he takes part in his first Great North Run, one of around 30 people running to raise money for Teesside Hospice, where his mother works.

David pounding the streets.

"It's something I've wanted to do for years, really. I've always had an interest in the charity, with my mum working there. Then at Christmas time a family member got taken into the hospice and I sort of saw first hand the work that they did and I wanted to pay them back for that, really."

The Great North Run is the world's biggest half marathon and Britain鈥檚 biggest mass participation event.

This year a record 52,000 people will be taking part, from runners like David to professionals like GB record holder Shelly Woods in the women's wheelchair race and Olympic marathon medalist Tsegay Kebede of Ethiopia.

There will also be plenty of celebrities to keep an eye out for, including Nell McAndrew, Amanda Burton and 11 members of the Emmerdale cast.