The AJ Bell Great North Run is set for Sunday, September 13, when 63,000 runners will take on the world's biggest half marathon. The event is far from just the run itself, with organisers making sure that those spectating and supporting are equally catered for. The guide below has everything you need to know, whether you are taking part or there to cheer on someone else.
Events You Can Be a Part Of
The Great Run Company has put together a jam-packed programme of events, beginning a week earlier on Monday, September 7. Around the famous 13.1 mile challenge on the Sunday, described as a 'joyous celebration of running', there are of course the Great North 5K on Friday, September 11, and the Junior and Mini events on Saturday, September 12.
As part of the new GNR Fringe, more events you can expect include: Shakeout Runs across the region, Runners' Restaurant Weekend, Coffee Raves, a Pasta Party, Runner's World Live Podcast, personalised merchandise print sessions, community beach yoga sessions, book signings, cinema screenings, and an After Party. The full line-up of activities, as well as information on how to book them, can be found on the Great North Run website.
Ways to Watch on the Day
You will be able to watch thousands of people crossing the finish line live from South Shields, with a livestream on social media. Those who are interested can visit GreatRunTV on YouTube to enjoy the action and see if they can spot their loved ones. As always, if you can't be there in person, you can watch all of the live action on the day on the BBC, from 10am to 2pm. Keep an eye on the Great North Run social media accounts for updates throughout the day as well.
Things to See and Do
The reveal of the 2026 Great North Run medal at Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre is a key attraction. Look out for the giant GNR45 Medal adorning the monument, providing people in the area with a perfect photo opportunity. On Saturday, over 13,000 kids aged 3-16 will be part of the 40th staging of the Junior & Mini events, with a huge celebration of running on the Quayside. The festivities continue up the hill at Old Eldon Square for the biggest party ever, with family-friendly activities.
NE1's Screen on the Green on Sunday at Old Eldon Square shows the BBC coverage live, with deckchairs and seating available so that you can simply sit back and enjoy the action. The AJ Bell Live Stage, from 10am on Sunday at the Great North Run event village in South Shields, offers picnic benches, food and drink options and entertainment at the finish line, including interviews with famous faces and live podcast recordings. The Red Arrows flyover on Sunday at 10.50am is an institution of the Great North Run, and the Red Arrows will return once again. You can watch them fly over the city as runners start the 2026 event, before they reach the finish line at South Shields.
How to Support Your Runner
The Motivation Station allows people to submit a personalised message or photo which will appear on the big screen, giving them a boost on the final mile of the course. The perfectly timed messages help to lift the spirits of those running, and you can submit them on the Great North Run website. The best spectator spots across the course include the Brooks Hype Zone, just after mile two, with a DJ pumping out tunes, and A Country Mile, just after mile six, with country songs providing an epic soundtrack for spectators and participants alike.
Sunday for Sammy will be showcasing some of the region's top talent at the "Bands on the Run Stage", located on the Gateshead side of the Tyne Bridge, entertaining runners with live performances. The full entertainment map can be found on the Great North Run website.
Famous Faces
There are a host of celebrities who you may see during the day of the Great North Run, as announced by the Great Run Company: Football personality Chris Kamara with TV host and close friend Ben Shepherd; the UK's favourite fitness coach Joe Wicks; Paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE; football manager, pundit and former player Peter Reid; BBC Morning Live presenter Helen Skelton; BBC Traitors season 4 stars Rachel Duffy, Sam Little, Reece Ward, Amanda Collier; singer and TV personality Jake Quickenden; BBC news anchor Sophie Rayworth; radio presenter and influencer Adele Roberts; actors Neil Grainger and Harriett Bibby; and singer Joe McElderry.
How to Get There
With the start and finish lines of the Great North Run being 13.1 miles apart, planning travel to and from the event is very important. Road closures will be in place, and the smartest way to travel is with the Great North Run Travel Assistant, a tool which can be used to plan routes and be aware of journey times. You can set your wave of runners as your destination to see the specific access routes for your start-line, and the map marker toggle feature helps to find facilities. It also includes public transport options to make it simple to plan ahead, with live updates.
How to Track Your Runner Live
You can track a runner using the free Great Run app, which can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. Simply enter the runner's name or number to start tracking, and you will receive alerts when they start, cross key distance markers, and finish, along with a predicted finish time. With mobile signal being intermittent due to the volume of people both at the start and the finish of the race, a runners reunion area a short distance past the finish line can be alternatively used to make sure everyone meets up at the end.
For all further details, and any specific queries that the organisers can help with, visit the Great North Run website, which includes its own full guide, and a guide for spectators too.
