Organisers of the Great North Run want as many people as possible to feel involved this coming Sunday, whether actively taking part in the world-famous half-marathon or not. A week of fringe events is under way, including community runs across the region as well as talks and socials, in the build-up to the big day.
Record Numbers Set to Take Part
On Sunday, a record 63,000 people will be running the 13.1-mile Newcastle to South Shields route, and more than 200,000 spectators are expected to be there to cheer them on. The support of the crowd plays a huge part in the Great North Run, and to the runners this encouragement is invaluable.
Even if runners do have friends and family supporting them en route, it can be almost impossible to spot a familiar face among the masses, so the friendliness extended by strangers can make all the difference. Some high-tech wizardry will enable loved ones to send personal messages to runners, which will appear during the run on a big screen positioned on the latter part of the course, at a point they may be flagging. This boost will be timed to coincide with the very moment they pass.
Free App Helps Supporters Track Runners
There are ways for supporters to keep track of runners too. A Great Run app, which is free, can be used to follow any particular runner from the race start. This will also offer a predicted finish time to help those aiming to meet a runner at the finish line. The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
To use it, all supporters need to know is the runner's name or race number. Having logged in and selected 'Great North Run', they then enter that name or number and select the 'tracker' option. They then will receive alerts when the runner starts, crosses key distance markers, and finishes. Multiple runners can be tracked in this way, and messages of support can be sent too.
The app also makes it possible to view the run's live leaderboard and to make donations to the runners' charities. For more Great North Run stories, including details of the 'motivation station' with the big screen where personal messages can be shared with runners, see the event's website, which has its own guide to the day.
