Organisers of the iconic Great North Run have been forced into a humbling apology after this year's event was blighted by severe overcrowding, described by furious participants as 'dangerous' and 'unacceptable'.
The world's largest half-marathon, which saw over 60,000 runners take to the course from Newcastle to South Shields, was hit by major congestion at a critical pinch point. Participants reported being brought to a complete standstill, creating a potentially hazardous bottleneck that left many fearing for their safety.
In a statement issued after a deluge of complaints, organisers acknowledged the serious failings. "We are aware of the congestion... and we are sorry that this happened," a spokesperson said. They confirmed the issue occurred on the Newcastle side of the Tyne Bridge, a legendary part of the route, where the course narrows significantly.
Social media erupted with anger as runners shared videos and images of the alarming scenes. Many expressed their disappointment, having trained for months for the prestigious event, only to have their experience and finish times ruined by the organisational mishap.
The apology has done little to quell the frustration, with many calling for a thorough review of crowd management procedures to prevent a repeat of the 'dangerous' conditions at future events.
