What Is The Great North Run? (& How To Register)
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4 months ago
Inside the world’s largest half marathon
Question: in which city is the world’s most popular half marathon held each year? Answer: Newcastle. While the likes of Boston, London and New York steal all the attention for annual marathons, when it comes to the half marathon, it’s a northern city that sits atop the podium. Here’s a brief history of the Great North Run, plus all the details for 2024.
What Is The Great North Run?
The Great North Run is an annual half marathon in which participants run from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields. Established in 1981 by former Olympian and sports commentator Brendan Foster, it has grown into one of the largest annual running events in the world – the largest in the UK – attracting tens of thousands of runners each year. In 2016, the Great North Run had 41,615 finishers, breaking the Guinness World Record for largest half marathon in the world. Flash forward to 2023, and 60,000 runners competed.
Prompted by the success of the Great North Run, more Great Runs have been founded in other cities, including in Bristol, Glasgow, Dublin and the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa.
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A Brief History Of The Great North Run
Born in South Tyneside in 1948, in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, an 28-year-old Brendan Foster – aka Big Bren – bagged the bronze in the 10,000 metre final. Four years later at Moscow 1980, he didn’t manage to clinch a medal – and that’s the last time he appeared in Team GB. But his running career was, of course, far from over.
Inspired by New Zealand’s Round the Bays Race, which Foster ran in 1979 ahead of the Olympics, in 1981, Foster founded the Great North Run, a half marathon on his home ground of Tyne and Wear. More than 12,000 participants ran from Newcastle to South Shields on 28 June 1981, with Mike McLead finishing in first place. And the rest, as they say, is history.
The Great North Run has taken place every year in September or October since 1981, except for in 2020. British runner Mo Farah holds the record for most wins, crossing the finish line in first place a whopping six times, six years in a row (2014–2020); he completed his first Great North Run in exactly one hour. In 2023, the Great North Run was the last ever race Farah ran before retiring.
But it is Kenyan runner Martin Mathathi who holds the men’s record of 58 minutes and 56 seconds, while fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei holds the women’s record at 1:04:28. The woman who has won the race the most is Brit Paula Radcliff, with six wins under her belt, too (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007).
Since the first race in 1981, a wheelchair race has also been held along the course, and there has been a Junior Great North Run since 1986.
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When Is The Great North Run?
The Great North Run is held annually in September and occasionally October. This year, it will take place on Sunday 8 September 2024.
Can You Still Enter For 2024?
There are no more spots available for the 2024 Great North Run. If you’re interested in running in 2025, the ballot is expected to open in January 2025. Each year, more than 120,000 people enter the ballot – double the number of places there are in the races, so good luck! You can sign up to be reminded at greatrun.org
Note that there is a fee to take part; in 2024, this was £62. You can also sign up for a membership which guarantees you a place in the race for three years – although it’s worth noting that memberships are sold out until 2026.
Can Anyone Take Part?
Anyone is welcome to run the race provided they are over the age of 17 and have entered the ballot and secured a spot.
What Is The Route?
The 13.1 mile (21.1 km) route stretches all the way from the A167 Central Motorway (on the edge of the city of Newcastle, near the Exhibition Park) to The Leas in South Shields, a scenic setting with a sea view. Iconic landmarks on route include crossing the River Tyne into Gateshead with views of the Quayside, passing by Gateshead International Stadium, and turning onto the Coast Road for the final stretch.
Is It Hilly?
Most of the Great North Run is a flat road run, although there is a slight incline between miles three and five, and a downhill section between miles five and eight. The final stretch is also a downhill section onto The Leas.
What Is The Average Time?
While professional runners look to smash their PBs at the Great North Run, average times come in closer to two and a half to three hours. More experienced runners will aim to finish under two hours, while professionals are aiming for the one hour mark.
Learn More
Learn more and plan your 2025 training plan at greatrun.org
