Wallington’s David Weir was a record-breaking winner at the Great North Run on Tyneside on Sunday.

Weir, a double Paralympic gold medallist in Beijing last year, had a close battle in the half marathon with Canada’s Josh Cassidy before pulling away in the second half of the race to win by 38 seconds in 41:34.

It took almost a minute off the 42:33 course best he set in 2005.

“I really just wanted to go under 45 minutes but, from the start, I could see it was going to be quick,” said Weir.

Having finished second in this year’s London Marathon, Weir intends to go one better at the New York Marathon on November 2.

“I am not quite race fit at the moment and there is still a bit more to do stamina-wise,” he said.

“I was a bit overweight at London, but aim to do well at the end of the year. Hopefully, I can win again in New York.”

Tushar Patel, of Kingsmeadow-based Velocity Wheelchair Club, finished 13th (52:35).

Hampton-based Aussie Benita Willis-Johnson finished 10th in the women’s elite race in 1:11:57.

Belgrave’s James Kelly (1:10.08) was 34th in the men’s race.