Guide for participants of the AJ Bell Great North 5K 2025
FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Event Guide 2025
It’s almost here!
The big day is nearly here, and we want to help you with any event day questions so you can focus on the important things: soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying your run. We’ve got all the info you need here, but you can also check out greatrun.org for last-minute changes. To follow all the action as it happens, join the conversation on social media - just make sure you use
#GreatNorth5k
We’re working closely with all local stakeholders, transport providers, emergency services and stewarding teams to ensure everyone’s safety across the Great North Run weekend. There will be a Police presence at the event to look after everyone – please go and say hello. Police officers and stewards are there to ensure the event is friendly and safe, so please don’t be concerned if you are approached by a member of the security team. And if you see something you’re unsure about on the day, please tell a steward or police officer.
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Contents
5 - 7
Key Info
8 - 10
At The Start
11
Start & Finish Map
12
Route Map
13 - 17
At The Finish
18
Recycling
19 - 21
Tips & Advice
5
Timetable
1600 1700 1720 1740 1800 1810 1813 1816 1820
Event Site Open Elite Women start
Elite Men start
GN5k Assembly Area Opens
GN5k Warm Up
Fast Paced & Orange Wave
Green Wave
Nissan/Northumbria Uni Wave
Pink Wave
6
Travel
When travelling to the event we suggest you make use of the various public transport options available. You can plan your journey by public transport here . Leave plenty of time to get to the start line, and if you plan to travel by car be aware that there will be a number of road closures in place . You can see a full list here .
Any travel updates will be added to the website, so please check the event page ahead of the event.
Elite Races Return to Friday Night 5k
The AJ Bell Great North 5k will once again feature an elite curtain raiser, with some of the fastest runners from the UK and abroad competing in the Elite International 5k Races. The event, which kicks off the Great North Run weekend, takes place around Newcastle and Gateshead’s vibrant Quayside and benefits from an iconic course with a great atmosphere. The elite races will take place over three laps of approximately one mile, while the mass participation race takes place over one 5km loop.
The Elite Women’s race starts at 5pm, with the Elite Men’s race getting underway at 5.20pm.
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7
Information Point
The information point is there for last-minute queries and to collect your race number on the day. Look out for the AJ Bell branded information marquee situated outside of the Law Courts on the Quayside (see start/ finish map for location).
Location Outside the Law Courts, Quayside.
Opening Times Friday 5th September: 15:00 – 19:00
Shoe Recycling
Wondering what to do with your pre-loved trainers? Why not bring them along to the shoe recycling bins located at the information point.
Clothes Aid will be collecting these items on behalf of The Great North Air Ambulance to help raise vital funds for their charity. You can find the information point (and the collection bins!) on the start/finish map.
Safety Pins No safety pins for your race number? No worries. You can collect some from the stand next to the Information Point without having to queue.
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8
Wave & Start Time
Your wave colour and start time can be found on your run number, which should arrive in the post approximately 2 weeks before the event. Once you’ve received it, you have everything you need for event day, and you don’t need to visit the Information Point to register on the day. Simply attach your run number (which has your timing chip attached) to the front of your running top with safety pins and head to the start line.
If your pack has not arrived, or you entered late, you will need to visit the information point on event day.
Baggage facilities are located in the Live Theatre building - accessed through the courtyard (see start/finish map for location) and open from 4pm. Please tear your baggage label from your run number, fill it in, and make sure the label is secured to your bag. Baggage
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9
Your Run Number
Your run number must only be worn by you on the day, and it should match the master number on your covering letter. If it’s different, please contact Customer Services here . Please don’t swap, copy, or change this number - passing your number on to someone else could put them at risk from illness or injury if they’re not properly prepared. If your run number hasn’t arrived through the post, please visit the Information point to collect a replacement.
Please Note : if you secure your entry after Friday 29th August your run number must be collected from the Information point. We are also unable to send race packs to addresses outside the UK, as we cannot guarantee delivery. If you are entering from outside the UK, your race number must also be collected from the Information Point.
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Timing
Your timing chip is attached to the back of your run number. Please don’t remove the chip – it will affect the accuracy of your time. The chip will automatically record your time for you, and you don’t need to do anything else. Your chip doesn’t need to be returned at the end of the run.
You can access your results on our website here after the event.
Warm Up
A warm-up artist will be on site to get you warmed up and stretched out (see timetable for warm-up time). To help manage the flow of runners on the course, participants will set off in separate waves.
Running with friends
If you want to run with a friend but have different coloured run numbers, you can drop back to run together in the same wave but cannot move forward.
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11
11
Start & Finish Map
KEY
INFORMATION POINT
GREAT RUN MERCHANDISE SHOE
BAGGAGE
MEDICAL POINT
FINISHERSʼ BAGS
RECYCLING BANDS ON THE RUN
M
ELITE FINISH
BROOKS
TOILETS
GN5K START & FINISH
ELITE START
TYNE BRIDGE
THE GLASSHOUSE
SWING BRIDGE
HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE
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12
Course Map
MILLENNIUM BRIDGE
ELITE FINISH
GN5K START & FINISH
BALTIC
ELITE START
CENTRAL STATION
TYNE BRIDGE
THE GLASSHOUSE
SWING BRIDGE
HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE
QUEEN ELIZABETH II BRIDGE
KEY
REDHEUGH BRIDGE
AJ BELL GREAT NORTH 5K
ELITE INTERNATIONAL 5K ROUTE X3
BANDS ON THE RUN
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13
Medical Support Medical facilities will be available near to the start and finish line and will be positioned around the course should you require assistance. Please contact a medic or steward if you need help at any time. Toilets There will be a number of toilets located on the Quayside near the Start & Finish line (outside the Law Courts), to use on arrival and after your run. Toilet facilities will be busy before and after the run, so please allow plenty of time. Missing Persons A missing persons point is located on the Quayside, outside the Law Courts. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official, or police officer. If you haven’t already, make sure you set up your official fundraising page on Enthuse, our official fundraising platform. Personalise your page with an image, your story and share to friends and family who can donate to your chosen charity. Now is the perfect time to get started on your fundraising journey or have a last push to raise some money for your chosen cause ahead of the big day. Click here to start fundraising Fundraising
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14
At the finish line
FINISH
Don’t stop immediately after you cross the finish line – please keep walking for a short distance so that you don’t block other runners. No matter your pace, everyone has run the same event and everyone will get to cross the finish line.
Finishers’ Packs
As you enter the secondary finish, you’ll collect your finisher pack. Finisher packs will be sorted by t-shirt size and will include a bottle of water, your medal, and other treats. Please take the pack that matches the t-shirt size you chose when you entered the event.
This area can get very busy, so we ask that you keep moving through the finish system to exit into the event village.
T-Shirt Opt Out
If you selected ‘No T-shirt’ at the time of entering the event, you will not receive a finishers’ t-shirt. Please follow the signage to the ‘No T-shirt’ lane . This will be clearly indicated on your running number and there will be volunteers and stewards on hand to help. PLEASE NOTE: If you selected no T-Shirt, you cannot take a T-Shirt on the day. There are only enough on site for all those who requested one at the time of entering.
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Shop now at GREATRUN.ORG Make sure to celebrate your achievement by purchasing some Official Great Run Merchandise! Whether you’re chasing a PB, running for a good cause or just enjoying your run, make it even more memorable with an exclusive Event Day memento. This range is new for 2025 so, shop online now or visit the stand in the Guildhall Car Park on the day to purchase your merchandise! Official Great Run Merchandise
Official Great Run Merchandise
Shop now at GREATRUN.ORG
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iTAB
Make your run event more memorable with a personalised iTAB medal attachment! This momento is personalised with your name and finishing time to celebrate your achievement and hold onto those memories even longer!
Pre-order yours today here .
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17
Official Photos
Event photos will be taken by Marathon Photos Live official photographers. Don’t forget to check them out here when you finish and share your run number with your friends and family, and they can register to be notified as soon as your photos are available.
Runners Reward
You have exclusive access to Great Run Rewards powered by Endurance Zone . Great Run Rewards gives you access to a selection of fantastic discounts from our friends at Endurance Zone. Browse through hundreds of offers from a range of lifestyle, sport, fitness and outdoor brands.
Join Brooks on Friday evening at the Quayside!
They will be turning up the energy with a live DJ, spin-the-wheel prizes, custom bag printing, a fun photobooth and more! Don’t miss the action – you will find them in the car park near the Swing Bridge.
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Recycling
We’re constantly reviewing our sustainability and recycling practices and have made a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from plastic and other materials across the entire event. We work with local partners to remove waste from the Great Run site. This isn’t just limited to plastic but includes cardboard, wooden pallets, medals and signage. We reuse generic signage and keep using it for as long as we can, and our outdated signage is fully recycled. As part of our drive to improve sustainability at the event, there will be no bottled water at the start area. So, please arrive hydrated, having had enough water before getting to the start. If you do feel like you’ll want a drink just before you run, make sure to bring your own supply, which you may carry with you while you run.
However, we can’t do it alone – we need your help too!
• Please use the recycling bins provided to dispose of any waste appropriately.
• If you opt to bring your own standard, single use plastic water bottle, please make sure you throw it in the clearly marked recycling bins that will be available in the start and finish area. • You can also donate any pre-loved or unwanted shoes at the recycling bins located at the information point. These will be collected by Clothes Aid and the Great North Air Ambulance to be re-sold, raising vital funds for their charities. You’ll find the information point – and the donation bins – clearly marked on the start/finish area map.
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Have a happy & healthy run
Please talk to your doctor before the event if you have any long-term health conditions or any health concerns. Don’t run if you feel unwell or have been ill recently. If you experience heart palpitations, light headedness or dizziness, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, excessive wheezing, or severe joint and muscle pain during or after your run, this can be a sign of a serious condition. Seek advice on taking part in the event after a bout of flu or gastroenteritis. Don’t be tempted to start just because you’ve collected sponsorship to raise money for charity - staying fit and well is the most important thing.
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Event day tips
Make sure you’re comfortable. Ideally, run in your shoes for around a month before your Great Run challenge.
Avoid chafing. Apply Vaseline to any areas prone to chafing – e.g. groin, upper thighs, under your arms, around your bra band or toes.
Protect your skin. Use weather resistant sun cream.
Try to maintain a steady, even pace to help you enjoy the event.
When you finish, collect your bag ASAP. Put on some warm, dry clothing and don’t get cold. Take a drink as soon as you can after crossing the finish line.
Try to eat some starchy foods within two hours of finishing the event – your muscles can replace energy most efficiently during this post-run window.
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Make sure you’re fully hydrated before consuming any alcohol. Avoid dehydrating alcoholic drinks for 24 hours before you run.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the colour of your urine is a useful indicator of hydration. Pale straw-coloured water is ideal. During your run, drink when you need to. Don’t take big gulps if you’re not thirsty – you could put yourself in a condition called hyponatremia where your body salts become diluted, possibly causing confusion and vomiting.
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It starts months before the start line. In the rain. In the dark. On the days no one sees.
It’s early alarms, aching legs, and miles that ask questions of you. But you keep showing up. Because you’re not just running a race.
You’re chasing something deeper. At Montane, we know that feeling.
Born in the North East, shaped by its wild weather and tough terrain. We were built for this kind of endurance, the kind that doesn’t quit. This isn’t just about performance. It’s about persistence. Montane. Built for the Long Run.
from the AJ Bell Great North 5k team and our partners Good Luck and enjoy your day!
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