Organisers of the Great North Run have confirmed that the route of the 2026 half-marathon will remain unchanged by the ongoing demolition of the Gateshead Flyover. The council reported on Thursday that the demolition work is on schedule, allowing the Park Lane roundabout to reopen as planned on the evening of Friday, August 21.
Demolition Works on Schedule
The latest phase of the flyover demolition required the Park Lane roundabout, which links the Tyne Bridge to the Felling Bypass, to be closed for several weeks so the section of the flyover above could be removed. A spokesperson for Gateshead Council confirmed the roundabout will reopen on time, adding: "Now the Park Lane roundabout demolition is complete, we can confirm that the Great North Run will follow its usual route this year."
The council had worked alongside the Great Run Company to consider a potential diversion as a contingency, but the on-schedule demolition means that will not be necessary.
Record Number of Runners
The 45th Great North Run, taking place on September 13, will feature a record 63,000 runners making the 13.1-mile journey from Newcastle to South Shields. After crossing the Tyne Bridge, the route takes participants into Gateshead near the flyover site.
Gary Wright, chief operating officer of the Great Run Company, praised the council, saying: "With the demolition works complete, the Great Run Company is delighted to confirm that the Great North Run 2026 will follow its usual route. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the team at Gateshead Council Highways who have pulled out the stops to ensure the works kept to schedule, minimising the disruption to this year's event."
He added: "It might not look quite as scenic in that small section of the course but we are pleased to tell our participants that 'it's business as usual' for the Great North Run on September 13."
