About the race
The AJ Bell Great North Run is an annual half marathon that takes place in North East England, attracting 60,000 participants. The 13.1 mile route begins on the A167 in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne and concludes at South Shields. The course follows a point-to-point path, featuring a final mile-long stretch along the seafront. Runners encounter a varied elevation profile with downhill sections in the first two miles, between miles five and eight, and during the final stretch. The segment from miles eight to twelve is predominantly uphill.
Registration is open to individuals aged 17 and over on the day of the event. While many entries are allocated via a ballot system, charity places are available through various organizations. Participants are organized into waves based on their estimated finishing times. Standard event services include baggage buses located at the start, with bags transported to the finish area for collection. An event village at South Shields contains entertainment, food vendors, and exhibitors for post-race activities.
Event Categories:
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Elite Wheelchair athletes
- Elite Women
- Elite Men and masses
- Visually impaired (VI) participants
The atmosphere includes music and entertainment points throughout the route. Finisher rewards include a medal and access to professional action photography. Transportation on race day is supported by the local Metro system, though services are heavily utilized. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
Event Timetable: 13 September 2026
Note: Provisional timetable subject to change.
- 10:00 BBC Live TV programme starts
- 10:20 Elite Wheelchair athletes start
- 10:25 Elite Women start
- 10:27 Visually impaired (VI) participants start
- 10:35 Warm Up
- 10:50 Elite Men and masses start
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the Great North Run start and finish?
The Great North Run starts on the A167 close to Claremont Road. 60,000 runners make their way along the 13.1 mile route to the finish at South Shields after a final mile-long seafront stretch. Check out the route map for the full route and elevation profile. If you’re a participant, please see the event guide (available one month before) for your arrival time, arrival route and assembly access for your wave colour.
How difficult is the Great North Run?
The Great North Run route has both uphill and downhill sections. Miles 1-2, 5-8 and 12-13.1 are mainly downhill, whereas many runners report that they find miles 8-12 the toughest section – there’s quite a bit of uphill during this four-mile stretch. But don’t worry – there’s music, entertainment and thousands of supporters at every turn. Know exactly what to expect with some detailed advice on training for your Great North Run route in our training advice here.
When will I receive my race number for the Great North Run?
Your race number also contains your timing chip and will arrive from approx. 4 weeks before the run. If your run number doesn’t arrive, you’ll need to collect your race number from one of the information points the day before, or morning of the event (Bring ID with you). Information point locations and opening times will feature in the event guide, published approx. 6 weeks before the event.
Can I move to a different wave in the Great North Run?
If you wish to move to a slower wave then that is fine, simply assemble with the later wave. You do not need to visit the information point. It is not possible to move to a faster wave. Waves are allocated based on your estimated time an