Great North Runners form ‘human shield’ around collapsed competitor as two die during ‘very hot’ half-marathon

63,000 runners took part in the Newcastle to South Shields run (Picture: Getty)Two young men taking part in the Great North Run have died after collapsing during the half-marathon.The pair, both aged 25 and from the North East, died despite the ‘very best efforts’ of paramedics, organisers said.One runner Rob Nicholson told Metro: ‘Everyone that was there was great. ‘There was actually an off-duty nurse who was there on the John Reed road doing her best.He added: ‘