Great North Run
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AJ Bell Great North Run : event overview
The AJ Bell Great North Run is a mass-participation half marathon held on 13 September 2026. The event brings together around 60,000 runners on a single race day along a coastal 13.1 mile route that starts in Newcastle upon Tyne and finishes in South Shields, with the final mile running along the seafront.
The course includes a mix of uphill and downhill sections; portions around miles 1-2, 5-8 and 12-13.1 are mainly downhill, while miles 8-12 contain notable uphill stretches. Road closures are in place along the route and nearby areas on race day.
Entries are open to runners aged 17 and over on the day. Places are allocated by ballot and via charity entries; a paid event membership can guarantee a place but new membership places for 2026–2027 are sold out. Charity places and other entry routes are available.
Practical arrangements include baggage buses at the start, pre-event race numbers that contain timing chips (posted about four weeks before the run or available for collection at information points), and wave allocations based on estimated finish time; participants may assemble with a later wave but cannot move to a faster wave.
Event services include a free event app with live tracking and photos, professional race photography, finisher medals for every finisher, an event village with food and entertainment, and advice on travel options after the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
