Great North Run Fringe Week 2026

From Monday 7th - Monday 14th September join in the week-long programme of Fringe events from 7th-14th September, packed with opportunities to get involved, connect with fellow runners and soak up the Great North Run atmosphere.

Fringe week event highlights include:

Monday 7th - Friday 11th September

• Shakeout Runs - Ahead of the world’s biggest half marathon on Sunday 13 September, there will be seven shakeout runs across seven parts of the region. Bringing runners and communities together in Gateshead, South Tyneside, North Tyneside, County Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle and Northumberland for these free events.

Friday 11th September

• Zucchini Pasta Party - 12:00 - 10:00 pm:  Zucchini are here for the carbo loading! Newcastle's ultimate pasta bar is bringing the pasta party back to the Great North Run weekend, serving a GNR themed menu from 12 - 10pm across Saturday and Sunday. With a running inspired playlist to boot, a GNR45 sticker for each customer and a few more surprises lying in wait, it'll be a delight for the senses in more ways than one. Whether you book a table to sit in, or pick up the perfect carbo loading takeaway, fuel up in style at the Zucchini pasta party.

• Personalised Printing Sessions - 5:00 - 7:00pm: Celebrate your AJ Bell Great North Run journey with exclusive, limited-edition GNR45 x Mul merchandise. Join in the special personalised printing event in-store at Fenwick Newcastle on Friday 11 or Saturday 12 September where you'll see your item printed live and customise it with your initials, alongside Sir Brendan Foster's signature. Choose your item from the range, select your chosen printing session time and personalisation options, and pre-order to secure your place. Find out more.

• Runner's World Live Podcast - 6:30 - 8:30 pm: Kick off your AJ Bell Great North Run weekend with an exclusive live recording of The Runner’s World Podcast! Join in at Fenwick Newcastle on the evening of Friday 11 September for a special event featuring Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion Eilish McColgan. Hosted by Rick Pearson and Ben Hobson in Fenwick’s French Salon. Grab tickets here.

• NE1 Restaurant Weekend - Enjoy a a selection of food and drink offers as part of the official Runners’ Restaurant Weekend. For the full weekend runners across the 5k, Junior and Mini, and Great North Run events will be able to claim exclusive discounts and freebies on a selection of delicious food and refreshing drinks at some of Newcastle’s most popular restaurants. Browse the offers online now.

Saturday 12th September

• Rant & Ramble Coffee Rave - 9:30 - 10:30 am: Listen up runners... It's time to rave! We're so excited to announce that the amazing Rant and Ramble Coffee Rave team will be launching their very first ever event in Newcastle on Saturday 12 September, 9:30 - 10:30 am, at Boiler Shop, Newcastle. Grab tickets here.

• Runner's World Mobility & Stretch Session - 9:45 am - 12:00 pm: On Saturday 12 September join in for a morning stretch and mobility session, followed by a panel talk at Newcastle’s exciting new rooftop venue, Freight Island. Taking place on the Saturday before this year's AJ Bell Great North Run, the expert-led session will focus on mobilising the joints, reducing stiffness and activating key muscles to prime participants for running. Grab tickets here.

• Barkley Marathons Screening - 12:50 pm: Great North Run and Tyneside Cinema have teamed up to put on a special screening of the Barkley Marathons on Saturday 12th September, 12:50 pm. Enjoy a perfect pre-run chill and take a seat, grab some snacks and get ready to be inspired for your own challenge by one of the wildest endurance races in the world. Grab tickets here.

• Zucchini Pasta Party - 12:00 - 10:00 pm:  Zucchini are here for the carbo loading! Newcastle's ultimate pasta bar is bringing the pasta party back to the Great North Run weekend, serving a GNR themed menu from 12 - 10pm across Saturday and Sunday.

• Sophie Raworth's Book Signing - 2:00 pm: From the BBC news to the Marathon des Sables, this is the inspiring story of how one of Britain’s best-known broadcasters found her feet through running. Sophie will be in Newcastle to take part in this year's AJ Bell Great North Run. This is a meet the author signing on Saturday 12th September at 2pm. Sophie has limited time so we suggest arriving early to avoid disappointment. Please note you will need a copy of Running On Air to meet Sophie. Copies will be available to buy on the day. Find out more.

• Community Beach Yoga - 5:00 - 5:45 pm: Great North Run Beach Yoga Special. Join us at King Edward's Bay Tynemouth, on Saturday 12 September, for a Great North Run Beach Yoga Special with Shore Yoga. A relaxed pre-race session designed to stretch, loosen up and settle those race-day nerves. Pay As You Feel, with all funds going to Alzheimer’s Society. Grab tickets here.

• Personalised Printing Sessions - 5:00 - 7:00pm: Celebrate your AJ Bell Great North Run journey with exclusive, limited-edition GNR45 x Mul merchandise. Join us at a special personalised printing event in-store at Fenwick Newcastle on Friday 11 or Saturday 12 September where you'll see your item printed live and customise it with your initials. Find out more.

• NE1 Screen on The Green - Saturday: Screen on the Green will be returning to Old Eldon Square for a special Great North Run weekend. On Saturday, bring the family along, take a seat in the deck chairs and enjoy a selection of fab children's films showing throughout the day. On Sunday, enjoy the ultimate spectator zone, take a seat on the deckchairs and you can watch all the live BBC One action from this year's AJ Bell Great North Run between 10:00 - 14:00. Find out more.

• NE1 Restaurant Weekend - Enjoy a a selection of food and drink offers as part of the official Runners’ Restaurant Weekend. For the full weekend runners across the 5k, Junior and Mini, and Great North Run events will be able to claim exclusive discounts and freebies on a selection of delicious food and refreshing drinks at some of Newcastle’s most popular restaurants. Browse the offers online now.

Sunday 13th September

• Freight Island After Party - 2:00 pm - 12:00 am:  Freight Island is Newcastle’s newest neighbourhood right in the heart of the city centre. Think world-class DJs, your favourite food and drinks for days across all three bars. For Great North Run Sunday, we’re keeping the party going with DJs live from 2pm - 12am and all ten kitchens open. And after 13.1 miles, you’ve more than earned the first round. Show us your medal and choose a pint, house wine, prosecco, or any soft or non-alcoholic drink on us. Grab tickets here.

• Runners' Recovery Yoga Session - 6:00 - 7:00 pm:  A heated full-body recovery session created for active bodies and busy minds. Designed for runners, cyclists, triathletes, HYROX athletes, strength training and anyone carrying the effects of a demanding week, Recovery Room combines active and static full-body stretching with mobility work, moving from head to toe to release built-up tension and restore ease of movement. Grab tickets here.

• NE1 Screen on The Green - Sunday: Screen on the Green will be returning to Old Eldon Square for a special Great North Run weekend. On Saturday, bring the family along, take a seat in the deck chairs and enjoy a selection of fab children's films showing throughout the day. On Sunday, enjoy the ultimate spectator zone, take a seat on the deckchairs and you can watch all the live BBC One action from this year's AJ Bell Great North Run between 10:00 - 14:00. Find out more.

• NE1 Restaurant Weekend - Enjoy a a selection of food and drink offers as part of the official Runners’ Restaurant Weekend. For the full weekend runners across the 5k, Junior and Mini, and Great North Run events will be able to claim exclusive discounts and freebies on a selection of delicious food and refreshing drinks at some of Newcastle’s most popular restaurants. Browse the offers online now.

For more information, check out the Fringe line-up here.