Great North Run
Sun 7 Sep 2025 Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK

Great North Run

Take part in the world's biggest half marathon and experience the buzz, unrivalled support and cheerful crowds of this historic event. Charity places now available for 2025!

Charity places
  • Sun 7 Sep 2025
The Town Moor, Newcastle > Sea Road, South Shields

Great North Run

11:00

Age 17 & over

FREE-£65

  • 13.1 miles road running

Event overview

You can now secure a charity place for 2025!

The Great North Run is renowned for being the world's greatest half marathon, attracting 60,000 runners each September to its famous course from Newcastle upon Tyne to the coast at South Shields.

The Red Arrows above thousands of runners crossing the Tyne Bridge is one of the many sights enjoyed by television viewers around the world.

With 5K and junior events taking place the same weekend, there's a reason for everyone to come and soak up the friendly atmosphere!

Highlights

  • World's greatest half marathon

    The unbeatable atmosphere of 60,000 runners and a warm Geordie welcome.

  • The Red Arrows and iconic Tyne Bridge

    Televised on the BBC for runners and supporters to watch again and again.

  • Bands and entertainment

    Music blazing, crowds buzzing, legs pumping and fists bumping.

  • weekend of running

    Including a 5K and junior events in addition to the half marathon itself.

There's nothing quite like it!

Event video

  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Wheelchair users

The Great North Run is the main event of an exciting weekend of running for all ages and abilities, kicking off with a fun and fast 5K on the Friday followed by a schedule of junior events on the Saturday.

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

  • Great North Run

  • Bag storage
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

The Town Moor
Grandstand Road
Newcastle
Tyne and Wear
UK

  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • No cut off time
  • Point to point
  • Sweeper
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start

Overview

The Great North Run is a point-to-point run starting at Town Moor in Newcastle Town Centre and heading to the coast via the Tyne Bridge, Gateshead town centre and South Tyneside. The run finishes in South Shields after a classic mile long run along the coast road.

Map

The full route is the normal half marathon distance of 13.1 miles or 21 km and usually takes runners anywhere between an hour (for the elites) to several hours for those out enjoying themselves and soaking up the great atmosphere.

map

  • Public transport links
  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy

Joined-up Public transport

Nexus, Stagecoach, Arriva and Go North East have teamed up to offer a simple multi-use travel ticket which will be valid on Metro, any bus service, and the Shields Ferry for the day of the Great North Run. This multi-use ticket includes travel across the entire North East network on the day of the run, including Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland.

This all-day travel ticket will be available to purchase from Metro station ticket machines, as well as on the day of the event. You can also purchase wristbands online until the week before the event.

Sustainability Policy

The Great Run Company is in the process of updating its Sustainability Strategy in light of its collaborative approach and recent survey. Work to minimise the environmental impacts of their events will continue throughout this process, with particular focus on:

  • Reducing plastic
  • Reducing waste
  • Cutting carbon emissions
  • Responsible procurement

 

In addition, they are striving to improve performance even further by making sure that sustainability is embedded at the heart of the organisation and culture.

  • Event app
  • Goody bag
  • Medal
  • Technical t-shirt

The greatest reward in taking part is the sense of achievement as you cross the finish line, but by taking your place on the Great North Run start line, you’re already part of something really special. This event is renowned for being well-organised, safe, and inclusive and the atmosphere and support is always unbelievable.

Included

  • Free event app
  • A shiny new, special edition Great North Run medal
  • An exclusive finishers t-shirt
  • A finisher’s bag filled with goodies
  • A huge round of applause as you cross the finish line
  • Official event day photos available to view and purchase a couple of days after the event
  • Downloadable certificate
  • Your official result ready shortly after you cross the finish line
  • Special partner offers for participants

Event app

The Great Run app is a FREE app, providing live tracking on event day. Family and friends can see your location and track your progress on the interactive map, with times and current pace updated within seconds of crossing each split point. Features include:

  • Live tracking
  • Push notifications
  • Live leader boards
  • Event day updates

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity and complete the form to ask a question or get signed up.

All charity places
Children

Smile Train

Supporting cleft surgery and other forms of essential comprehensive cleft care.

  • Running vest
  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Supporter cheer packs
  • Training plan
  • Training guide
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£300

Health and Medical

Parkinson's UK

Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training guide

Sign up
£40

Fundraise
£350

Health and Medical

Meningitis Research Foundation

Defeating meningitis and septicaemia.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Supporter cheer packs
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact
  • Cheer squad on the day
  • Post-race reception
  • Refreshments
  • Exclusive social group
  • Certificate

Sign up
£15

Fundraise
£325

All charity places

  • Age 17 & over
  • 60000 places
  • Ballot closed
  • Charity entries open
  • Ballot
  • Charity places
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Race pack by post

You can now secure a charity place for 2025!

How to enter the Great North Run

There are 3 ways to secure your place in this fantastic event in 2025:

  • Ballot entry - The first round of ballot applications are open until 12 noon on Friday 13th September 2024. The second round of ballot entries will take place in January.
  • Charity place - join a charity team and raise money for a worthy cause.
  • Elite runner - only for elite runners who meet some fairly strict criteria.

Entering the Ballot

Places in the event are allocated using a ballot system. You need to enter the ballot by 12 noon on Friday 13th September 2024.

Those successful in the September Ballot will secure an entry into the 2025 Great North Run.

Anyone who is unsuccessful with their September ballot application can try again in the January Ballot.

Don't worry if you're not one of the lucky ones, you'll still be able to join a charity team to secure your place.

Charity places

If you weren't one of the lucky ballot applications or you want to skip the ballot hassle or you'd prefer to run as part of a charity team, you can secure your place at the start line with one of our charity partners. Charities are taking entries for 2025 now. You can search by name or cause - or just find the cheapest registration fee or lowest fundraising amount. Charity places usually close at the beginning of July.

Best in the world. This event cannot get better.

The spectators made it feel really special and every charity station cheered me on. The medal and goody bag were top notch. I'd highly recommend this race.

Love it, will go back every year. I have done the Great North Run 10 times over many years. It's always a special and different event every year.

The best event ever. My sixth consecutive and I intend to keep going. Everything is superbly organised, it's like a massive family. The volunteers are amazing.

So many wonderful supporters and volunteers made it a fantastic day. Running over the Tyne Bridge with the Red Arrows overhead is something I'll never forget!

Great day. Great weather. Great atmosphere. Great supporters. Great experience. Great time. Great North Run.

The Great North Run was a brilliant experience and a very well-organised event. There was a fantastic atmosphere with incredible support.

Such a friendly and encouraging event and a credit to the region.

The crowds and entertainment that support the run are absolutely outstanding.