Great North Run
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Event overview
The AJ Bell Great North Run takes place on 13 September 2026. It is a half marathon of 13.1 miles between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields. The event usually hosts about 60,000 participants. Entries are open to runners aged 17 or older on race day. A booking fee of £3.00 per entry is applied at checkout. The September ballot for 2026 has been drawn; there is also a January ballot and options to enter via charity places. Great North Run membership allows runners to skip the ballot; new membership places for 2026-2027 are sold out.
Course and event services
The course starts on the A167 near Claremont Road and finishes in South Shields, with a final seafront mile. The route includes uphill and downhill sections: miles 1-2, 5-8 and 12-13.1 are mainly downhill, while miles 8-12 include sustained uphill sections. Road closures will be in place on and around the route. Baggage buses operate from the Runners Hub and finish-area baggage is collected with the race number. Race numbers, which include timing chips, are posted 1-2 weeks before the event or can be collected from information points if not received.
Support, results and extras
The free Great Run event app provides runner tracking and event updates. Official photos and split times every mile are available after the race. Every finisher receives a medal; optional finisher tees are offered, with an option to forgo a tee so the organiser can donate a portion of fulfilment costs (a committed donation of approximately £20,000) to the National Trust Woodlands Appeal. Transport systems are very busy after the event; some Metro stations may have limited access. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
