A guide for spectators heading to the AJ Bell Great North Run.
SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
Spectator Guide 2026
The AJ Bell Great North Run weekend is almost here, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it.
This year the event celebrates its 45th birthday and will welcome 63,000 participants to the start line, making it the biggest ever Great North Run.
Take a look through this guide for the best places to spectate, top travel tips, getting around the North East on event day, and ways that you can support your runner before, during and after the big day. Your support and encouragement makes a huge difference to every runner, and although there will be 63,000 participants doing the ‘leg-work’, this event would not be the same without its supporters, charities, volunteers and local people.
Track your runner – live!
Our top tip for the AJ Bell Great North Run is to track your runner using our free Great Run app.
Download for free on the App Store or Google Play
Enter your runner’s name or run number to start tracking them
You’ll receive alerts for when they start and finish, as well as when they cross key distance markers like 5k, 10k, half way etc
You will see what their predicted finish time is and their average pace
You can also easily donate to their fundraising page
Make sure you send a message of support to your runner, which they will see as they pass the Motivation Station big screen in the final mile
Please note: Due to the sheer volume of people at the start and finish, signal can be intermittent.
Join the amazing social community
Don’t miss out on all the latest announcements, event news, competitions and useful information on our social channels.
We also love to see your pictures and reels from the day, so tag us on social. We’re always on the hunt for the best specator signs from the day – so make sure you share them with us!
@great_run
@GreatNorthRunGNR
@great_run
GreatRunTV
Great-North-Run
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AJ Bell Great North Run Fringe
The AJ Bell Great North Run is more than just a run, it’s a moment created by the runners, and the people of the North East, to be incredibly proud of. To celebrate the region’s communities, partners, businesses, and our 63,000 incredible participants, we have pulled together a jam-packed week of events starting from Monday 7 September to Monday 14 September. You can expect Shakeout Runs, Runners’ Restaurant Weekend, Coffee Raves, a Zucchini Pasta Party, Runner’s World Live Podcast, personalised merchandise print sessions, community beach yoga sessions, and a Freight Island After Party.... Just to name a few!
Check out the full line-up of activities, get yourself booked on, and share far and wide. Everyone is welcome!
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AJ Bell Great North Run Fringe
The AJ Bell Great North Run is more than just a run, it’s a moment created by the runners, and the people of the North East, to be incredibly proud of. To celebrate the region’s communities, partners, businesses, and our 63,000 incredible participants, we have pulled together a jam-packed week of events starting from Monday 7 September to Monday 14 September. You can expect Shakeout Runs, Runners’ Restaurant Weekend, Coffee Raves, a Zucchini Pasta Party, Runner’s World Live Podcast, personalised merchandise print sessions, community beach yoga sessions, and a Freight Island After Party.... Just to name a few! SHAKEOUT RUN SERIES COFFEE RAVE RUNNERS’ RESTAURANT WEEKEND BOOK SIGNING RUNNER'S WORLD LIVE PODCAST WITH SOPHIE RAWORTH Check out the full line-up of activities, get yourself booked on, and share far and wide. Everyone is welcome! MON 7 - MON 14 SEPT AFTER PARTY
BEACH YOGA
STREETPERFORMERS
PERSONALISED PRINT EVENTS
BARKLEY MARATHONS SCREENING
WITH PROFESSOR LIEBERMAN THE SCIENCE OF RUNNING LECTURE
ZUCCHINI PASTA PARTY
STRETCH & PANEL TALK
SCREEN ON THE GREEN
RUNNING TRACK & SIGN MAKING
SCAN THE QR CODE TO SEE THE FULL LINE UP
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NE1’s Runners’ Restaurant Weekend
If you’re looking for a good spot to grab a drink and a bite to eat, you’re in luck! Newcastle has so many great options and for the first time ever we’ve teamed up with NE1 to offer runners and their friends and families a discount on food and drink as part of a very special Runners’ Restaurant Weekend.
Take a look at all the participating venues and start planning your menu choices across the weekend.
Check out the special offers
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Friday 11 September
Start and finish line: Newcastle Quayside
Event site opens: 16:30 - full timetable
Event Guide
Meeting point: Finish line, near the Newcastle Law Courts
The AJ Bell Great North 5K is the curtain-raiser to a fantastic weekend of running in the North East. This year’s event is the biggest ever Great North 5k, and is always the ideal way to get the running party started ahead of the weekend.
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Saturday 12 September
Start and finish line: Newcastle Quayside
Event site opens: 07:00 - full timetable
Event Guide
Meeting point: Finish line, near the Newcastle Law Courts
This year’s event celebrates its 40th birthday and is set to be the biggest EVER with over 13,000 kids taking part.
Come along to the Quayside and support the next generation of runners throughout the day. Get a glimpse (and maybe even high-five) from our official mascot Tyney the Tortoise and AJ Bell’s mascot Investabell. Our mascots will be around the event site throughout the day. Look out for the stars of the UK hit show Gladiators who will be the official starters for this year’s event. Alex Gray (Apollo), Emily Steel (Dynamite), Matty Campbell (Bionic) and Sheli McCoy (Sabre) will be on hand to ring the famous starters bell and cheer on our young runners!
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The Event Village, Newcastle Quayside:
There are loads of activities going on throughout the day, don’t miss:
Brand new Tyney’s Town (garden games)
Sign making with AJ Bell
Food and drink
Exclusive event merchandise stand (also available here)
Mul mural (near Quayside Garden)
Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne trail, with our very own Great North Bun (near the Millennium Bridge)
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Take a trip to Old Eldon Square and enjoy loads of family-friendly activities: 40th birthday celebrations with NE1
NE1’s Screen on the Green will be showing children’s movies throughout the day
Take a seat on the deck chairs and have a well-earned rest
Have a go on the Brooks running track on Grainger Street
Look out for the facepainters and popcorn stands
Get a photo next to the giant AJ Bell Great North Run medal at the base of the Monument
Brooks sign making in Old Eldon Square
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Sunday 13 September
Ways to watch
Live on TV If you can’t be there in person, you can watch all the live event day action on the BBC One, 10:00 – 14:00. Live finish line stream Watch thousands of finish line moments in South Shields as we stream this year’s iconic finish line live on Great Run YouTube throughout the day on Sunday 13 September. Head to @GreatRunTV on YouTube to subscribe, enjoy the action and see if you can spot any of your loved ones. NE1’s Screen on the Green If you’re in Newcastle city centre and looking for somewhere to enjoy the event day buzz, the Screen on the Green at Old Eldon Square will show live BBC coverage of the AJ Bell Great North Run from 10:00 – 14:00. AJ Bell Live Stage If you’re heading to the finish line in South Shields, arrive early and come on down to our Event Village where we will be showing the live BBC show on the big screen, with commentary, from 10:00 – 14:00. With picnic benches, food and drink options and more stage entertainment, it’s a great spot to be while you wait for your runner to arrive.
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Sunday 13 September
The essentials
Day: Sunday 13 September
Where: Start – Newcastle upon Tyne, Central Motorway Finish – The Leas, South Shields
Event information: AJ Bell Great North Run event guide
Timings: AJ Bell Great North Run timetable
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Key times
Time
What
Where
Watch live on BBC One, or record for later
10:00
Live TV show starts
Central Motorway, Newcastle, also on BBC
10:20
Elite wheelchair start
Central Motorway, Newcastle, also on BBC
10:25
Elite women start
Central Motorway, Newcastle, also on BBC
10:27
Visually impaired runners start
Central Motorway, Newcastle, also on BBC
Elite men and the masses start
10:50
Fly over the Tyne Bridge
10:52
Red Arrows
Finish line, South Shields
First elite wheelchair athletes expected
11:09
Finish line, South Shields
11:35
First elite women expected
First elite men expected, followed closely by the first of the fast-paced runners
Finish line, South Shields
11:50
Finish line, South Shields
13:00 – 15:00
Peak time for finishers
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Top travel tips It’s important to remember that the start and finish lines of the AJ Bell Great North Run are 13.1 miles apart, so planning your travel to and from the event is really important.
It’s also worth noting the road closures in place, which may affect your plans for where you’d like to spectate and cheer on the runners.
We highly recommend using our Great North Run Travel Assistant to plan your travel to Newcastle, but also for event day specifically.
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Great North Run travel assistant The smartest way to plan your event day travel is by using the Great North Run travel assistant: Step 1 – Click here to start your travel plan Step 2 - Simply add your starting point and select Sunday 13 September Step 3 – Select your destination and generate your travel plan Top tip: If you’re travelling to the North East before Sunday 13 September, we recommend using the travel assistant to plan your journey. Benefits of the travel assistant: • It provides all public transport and walking route options in one place • Created in collaboration with the local public transport services to provide accurate and up to date travel information: Metro, buses, and ferry • Lower carbon alternatives to driving • Easy to use, and provides precise details to get you from where you are to the event
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Great North Run Day Rover ticket Purchase a Day Rover ticket via the Pop app for just £6.50. The Day Rover, which can be used all day on Sunday 13 September, is ideal for runners and spectators who may need to jump on and off different methods of public transport at any time of the day. With travel options available all day across multiple methods of public transport i.e. Tyne and Wear Metro, any bus service, Shields Ferry and Northern trains between Newcastle and Sunderland on event day. If you choose to buy tickets on the day instead, please pay by card or contactless, to help speed up boarding, avoid ticket machines running out of change and minimise queues.
DOWNLOAD THE POP APP HERE TO GET STARTED
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By car We encourage all participants and spectators to use public transport where possible. The road network will be extremely busy on the day.
If you must drive, do not follow Sat Nav or Google Maps advice but instead follow the diversionary signage.
Tyne Bridge & A1 works If you are travelling from outside of the North East, please be aware that there are currently traffic restrictions in place on both the Tyne Bridge and the A1. Allow extra time for your journey over the weekend and plan your route to help avoid delays and congestion.
Driving to the start There is no parking at the start of the AJ Bell Great North Run. Please use city centre car parking and be aware that some car parks will be inaccessible due to road closures. Click here to view car parks.
If you need to travel by car, consider parking at a Metro Station outside of Newcastle, and taking the Metro to the start or finish.
Driving to the finish Roads will be extremely busy, leave extra time for your journey.
Official event parking is available off Redwell Lane and is open from 06:15. Please follow the signage for “Great North Run – Sea front Parking” as you approach South Shields.
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Elite runners to look out for
The 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run elite line-up is out
From defending champions to record holders and major marathon medallists, this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run is shaping up to be one to watch. • Defending men’s champion Alex Mutiso and 2025 women’s champion Sheila Chepkirui are back to defend their titles • Sean Frame and Melanie Woods return as reigning elite wheelchair race champions • Eilish McColgan is back on this year’s start line after leading the British women home at this year’s London Marathon • USA record holder Casey Clinger, Olympic silver medallist, Abdi Nageeye, and previous Great North Run winner and 2021 Olympic bronze medallist Brigid Kosgei join the line-up.
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Famous faces to look out for A stellar line up of celebrities are all set to join the start line of the world’s most famous half marathon on Sunday 13 September. From football legends to Paralympians, Traitors to TV faves, runners taking part in this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run will be rubbing shoulders with a host of familiar faces including;
READ MORE
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Famous faces to look out for
Chris Kamara Football personality
Ben Shepherd TV host
Joe Wicks UK’s favourite fitness coach
Richard Whitehead MBE Paralympian
Peter Reid F ootball manager, pundit and former player
Helen Skelton BBC Morning Live presenter
Jake Quickenden Singer and TV personality
Sophie Rayworth BBC news anchor
Joe McElderry Singer
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Famous faces to look out for
Adele Roberts Radio presenter and influencer
Neil Grainger Actor
Rachel Duffy BBC Traitors season 4 star
Sam Little BBC Traitors season 4 star
Reece Ward BBC Traitors season 4 star
Amanda Collier BBC Traitors season 4 star
Harriett Bibby Actor
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Key spectator spots on the route
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Spectator viewing
Brooks Hype Zone – just after mile 2 Bringing a sea of noise to the course will be the team from Brooks, who will have an amazing DJ pumping out the anthems to keep runners moving and spectators’ feet tapping. Get read to provide a wall of sound as the runners approach you just after mile 2. A Country Mile – just after mile 6 Yee-haw! New for 2026... Get ready to be transported to Nashville for the best boot-tapping country tunes and honky-tonk vibes. This ain’t our first rodeo! Come and cheer on the runners and enjoy an epic country soundtrack.
TOP TIP: Due to the restrictions and road works currently in place on the Tyne Bridge, spectators are not permitted to view runners along the bridge. Please avoid this area.
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Rest of the course
You can spot and cheer on runners almost anywhere along the rest of the half marathon route (see route map here ).
Mile point on course
Road to spectate on
1 mile
Central Motorway
2 miles
A167
3 miles
Felling Bypass
4 miles
Felling Bypass
5 miles
Felling Bypass
6 miles
Leam Lane
7 miles
Leam Lane
8 miles
Leam Lane
9 miles
John Reid Road
10 miles
John Reid Road
11 miles
Prince Edward Road
12 miles
Coast Road
Please note: The route is very busy with runners on the road and spectators along the sides, so we recommend staying on one side of the road rather than swapping over. However if you do need to cross the road, please keep an eye out for our designated crossing points, managed by our team of stewards.
Please note: Due to the ongoing works on the Tyne Bridge, this is a no-spectator zone.
Top tip: Due to road closures and the volume of people supporting, we recommend picking 1, possibly 2 areas to spectate from, and going straight to that location rather than trying to do multiple points along the route.
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At the finish If you’re planning to meet your friends and family at the finish, we suggest getting there early before it gets really busy. You can then get a good spot along the final finishing straight, and get your bearings of where everything is. The finish area is very big, so take a look at the maps, get familiar with the layout and look out for the key areas where you could meet your loved ones. Top tip: Arrange to meet at the official ‘meeting point’ (see maps) where you will find flying banners with letters of the alphabet on. We suggest meeting at the letter that matches your surname. If you’re planning to meet your runner at the finish, we suggest getting there early before it gets really busy. The elite athletes and club runners will begin to cross the finish line from around 11:00.
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At the finish
BUSES TO THE FERRY
BUSES TO NEWCASTLE
GYPSIES GREEN STADIUM
ZONE
ZONE
RECHARGE WITH A SELECTION OF FOOD FROM OUR STALLS REVEL WITH DRINKS AND LIVE MUSIC RELAX AND CHILL ON OUR SEATING OR ON THE GRASS REWIND AND CHAT ABOUT YOUR GREAT NORTH RUN EXPERIENCE
KEY
FINISHERʼS WATER
CHARITY VILLAGE
FINISHERSʼ MEDALS
TOILETS
FINISHERSʼ TSHIRTS
FOOD & DRINK
MEETING POINT
INFORMATION POINT
BIG SCREEN
BAGGAGE BUSES
FINISH LINE
MEDICAL
HOSPITALITY
MISSING PERSONS
EXHIBITORS
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At the finish
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Great Run merchandise
Take a look at this year’s official merchandise in the merch shop in the event village in South Shields. This year you will be able to purchase exclusive Mul-branded kit, and these are expected to be very popular so get there early.
Can’t wait, or want to browse from home? Take a look at the full AJ Bell Great North Run merchandise range here .
Choose from a selection of hoodies, tech tops, cotton t-shirts, bobble hats, caps and children’s items - all available in this year’s limited-edition designs.
OFFICIAL GREAT RUN MERCHANDISE
SHOP NOW AT GREATRUN.ORG
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Missing persons A missing person’s point is located next to the information point in the event village – see finish map for details. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official, or police officer. FINISH
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Enjoy South Shields
In addition the Beer Tent and the food and drink trucks in the Event Village, there are plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs in South Shields to celebrate your achievement. So don’t rush off and get stuck in the queues at peak times, why not take some time to refuel, enjoy the AJ Bell Live Stage DJ and entertainment, visit the charity village, or listen to the bands playing in the Beer Tent. It’s a great place to relax and let the busiest queuing times pass.
Charities and partners
Make sure you come down and visit our amazing charities and partners located at Bents Park playing fields, just beyond the Après Run zone and Gypsies Green Stadium. It’s a great place for fundraisers to connect with their charity but is open to all to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Be sure to pop over to check out all the charity stands, where there will be a selection of stands offering activities and maybe even the chance to pick up a couple of freebies!
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Charity village map
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Charity village map
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Our amazing partners
Support your runner at AJ Bell’s Motivation station
Cheer your runner on when it matters most at AJ Bell’s Motivation Station in the final mile of the course. Whether you’re there in person or supporting from afar, you can give your runner an unforgettable boost by submitting a personalised message or photo to appear on the big screen as they race by. It’s the perfect way to lift their spirits and be part of a truly special moment on the course.
Submit a message for your runner here , or visit the AJ Bell Motivation Station on the day to get involved.
With live music, cheer squads, and a “feel good” atmosphere, it’s the ultimate spot to soak up the excitement and help carry runners through that final stretch.
Don’t forget to check the event map for the exact location.
Start and finish giveaways and mascot
The AJ Bell team and their mascot Investabell will be back this year to welcome participants and spectators!
They will be handing out bells to help you cheer your runners on at the finish line. Look out for them to get yours while they last. Why not grab a picture with Investabell or ask for details of how to submit a message to appear on the big screen at the on-course AJ Bell Motivation Station.
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Fundraising
If you haven’t already, make sure you support your friends and family by donating to their chosen charities via their official fundraising pages on Enthuse, our official fundraising platform. Share a personalised message and help them on their way to achieving their fundraising goals for all the incredible causes!
Support your friends & family
Official event photos
Photographers from Marathon Photos will be placed along the route to capture moments from the day. Official photos will be going LIVE from the moment runners pass a Marathon Photos photographer along the course. Friends and family can enter the run number and register here to be notified as soon as the first photos of your runner are available online.
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Give a GREAT gift
Make your friends and families’ achievements even more memorable by purchasing a personalised iTAB medal attachment for them! This memento is personalised with their name and finishing time to celebrate their incredible achievement to hold onto those memories for even longer!
Rre-order today!
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Event sustainability
All year round we’re working hard to make our events as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. From reducing and recycling single-use plastics, to working with local charities to collect clothing left at our start lines, to making sure our event branding and stock is reused or responsibly recycled - there’s a lot happening behind the scenes to lower our environmental impact.
But to make an even bigger difference, we need your help!
Here are a few simple ways you can help make our events greener:
We ask that you please use the recycling bins on site to discard any waste accordingly.
Water refill points will be located at the start and at the finish (check the maps for more details).
Make use of the public transport network to travel to and from the event.
Together, small changes can make a big impact.
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from the AJ Bell Great North Run team and our partners Enjoy your day!
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