Guide to the Great North Run

What a comeback! Great North Run is done for another year

Well done to everyone who took part in the 40th anniversary Great North Run 2021. What an amazing atmosphere and achievement. Following a period of cancellations, closures and covid restrictions - the Great North Run weekend 2021 was an epic return to live events and mass participation running here in Newcastle and Gateshead.

From the Great North 5k opening event to the youngsters bursting with enthusiasm and energy at the Junior and Mini Great North Run events, the weekend was packed with fun, pride and achievement before the main event on Sunday which saw the route change - beginning and ending in Newcastle with two chances to cross the famous Tyne Bridge.

How to Enter the Great North Run

Be part of the excitement in 2022 and sign up for reminders to enter the Great North Run 2022 which is proposed to take place on Sunday 11 September 2022 and will see the return of the iconic route from Newcastle to sunny South Shields.

There are various ways of entering the Great North Run including the general ballot which will open in early 2022, running on behalf of a charity and also entering as an elite athlete. We have summarised all of the information you need on each entry method and provided links to Great North Run charities. If you have any questions about how to enter the Great North Run that you don’t feel we covered in this section, be sure to check out our FAQs page for more information.

Great North Run Events

The Great North Run is more than just a one-day event - it's a packed weekend of celebration, personal achievement and fun for all ages!

Two months prior to the Great North Run, the Great North 10k will take place. Although the event is a race in its own merit, many consider it to be a great training exercise in preparation for the Great North Run itself.

During the Great North Run weekend, many events will take place such as: the Great North 5k and the Mini and Junior Great North Runs.

Brand new in 2021 was the Team Challenge, a fun contest to bring together the city's thriving business community. It was a great opportunity for businesses to encourage a healthy outlook for staff, engage in all-important team building, and focus on charity fundraising.