PM Andy Burnham makes history at Great North Run for charity

Prime Minister Andy Burnham became the first sitting prime minister to complete the Great North Run on Sunday, using the high-profile half marathon to raise funds for a homelessness charity. Burnham crossed the finish line in just under two hours, wearing a pink running shirt and a race bib bearing the number 10. The event, which celebrated its 45th anniversary, saw more than 63,000 runners take part in the 13.1-mile course from Newcastle to South Shields. Burnham ran in support of Changing Lives, a charity that assists over 14,000 people annually facing homelessness. He had visited the charity's Alexs Place service in Newcastle the previous month to launch a national drive aimed at ending rough sleeping by Christmas. "I loved it. It's just a brilliant occasion," Burnham told the BBC after finishing. He described the event as a reminder of "how good this country is when it's together like this." The Prime Minister, who has completed the run several times before as Mayor of Greater Manchester, said he was "very happy" with his time. Ahead of the race, Burnham explained his motivation.