Home / Sports / Great North Run: 63,000 Hit Streets This Weekend
Great North Run: 63,000 Hit Streets This Weekend
12 Sep
Summary
- World's biggest half marathon returns with 63,000 participants.
- Mini and Junior events mark 40 years with record young runners.
- Event raises approximately £25 million annually for charities.
The Great North Run (GNR) is set to take place this weekend on Tyneside, drawing an estimated 63,000 participants for the world's largest half marathon. The event kicks off with the Mini and Junior races on Saturday, which are celebrating their 40th anniversary. These events saw a record 13,000 young individuals take on courses ranging from 50 meters to 4 kilometers on Newcastle's Quayside.
Sunday's main half marathon will span 13.1 miles, beginning in Newcastle and concluding in South Shields after passing through Gateshead and South Tyneside. The iconic Red Arrows are scheduled for a flypast over the city at 10:50 BST. This year's 45th edition of the half marathon will feature both runners and wheelchair athletes.
Organizers highlighted that the Mini and Junior events achieved their largest participation in their 40-year history, offering youngsters a memorable experience. Annually, the Great North Run raises approximately £25 million for various charities, with a cumulative total of 1.4 million finishers to date. The medal for the 2026 event, designed by local artist Alex Mulholland, features the Tyne Bridge and celebrates the stories of participants and their causes.
