CUMBRIAN Paralympian Simon Lawson won the elite men's wheelchair race at the Great North Run.

It is the first time the 35-year-old, from Maryport, has clinched first place at the iconic half marathon.

He claimed victory for Great Britain with a time of 44 minutes 22 seconds.

Canada's Brent Lakatos took second place in 44 minutes 27 seconds, with Josh Cassidy third.

Simon, who represented Britain at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, is a former British motorcross championship rider.

He was left paralysed following a crash, aged 19, and was inspired to go into wheelchair racing after watching the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008.

He is now one of Britain's top prospects.