Great North Run 2026 Start Times and Route

The Great North Run 2026 will take place on Sunday, September 13, bringing a record field of approximately 63,000 runners to Newcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside.

The televised programme is provisionally scheduled to begin at 10am. Elite wheelchair athletes will start at 10.20am, followed by the elite women at 10.25am and visually impaired participants at 10.27am.

The warm-up is expected to begin at 10.35am, with the elite men and first mass-participation runners starting at 10.50am. Later waves will leave gradually, so individual runners must follow the arrival and assembly time printed in their event information.

The timetable remains provisional and could change before race day. Participants should check the official event guide and emails from the Great Run Company for late updates.

Where does the Great North Run start?

The Great North Run begins on the A167 central motorway in Newcastle, close to Claremont Road. Tens of thousands of runners assemble across colour-coded start zones before being released in waves.

The start is within walking distance of Newcastle city centre, but competitors should allow considerably longer than they would on a normal Sunday. Roads close early, public transport becomes crowded and access routes around the start are controlled.

Race numbers contain each runner’s timing chip and are sent approximately four weeks before the event. Anyone whose number does not arrive will need photographic identification to collect a replacement from an official information point.

Runners can move into a slower wave without requesting permission, but cannot move forward into a faster one. Organisers use predicted finishing times to manage congestion and keep people moving safely.

What is the Great North Run route?

The Great North Run covers 13.1 miles, or 21.1 kilometres, from Newcastle to the South Shields seafront. The famous point-to-point course is one of the North East’s most recognisable sporting routes.

After leaving the A167, runners head through central Newcastle before crossing the River Tyne into Gateshead. The route continues east through Gateshead and towards South Tyneside, using major roads including sections around the A184 and A194.

Competitors then pass through the Jarrow and South Shields areas before joining John Reid Road. The final section turns towards the coast and finishes on the A183 Coast Road beside the North Sea.

The early miles contain downhill sections that can encourage runners to begin too quickly. Organisers describe miles eight to 12 as the toughest part of the course because they include a sustained period of climbing.

The final mile along South Shields seafront is flatter and usually lined with large crowds. Finishers receive a medal before moving into the reunion and event village areas.

How difficult is the course?

The Great North Run is achievable for first-time half-marathon runners, but it is not a flat course. There are several climbs, particularly in the second half when tired legs begin to make every gradient feel steeper.

An average finishing time from the 2018 event was approximately two hours and 27 minutes. Elite competitors complete the course in less than half that time. The men’s course record is 58 minutes and 56 seconds, set by Martin Mathathi in 2011, while Mary Keitany holds the women’s record of one hour, five minutes and 39 seconds.

Runners should avoid chasing somebody else’s pace during the fast opening miles. Saving energy for the climbs through the later stages is likely to produce a more comfortable finish.

How many people take part?

Organisers expect 63,000 participants in 2026, making it the largest Great North Run staged so far. The race started in 1981 and celebrates its 45th anniversary this year.

Approximately 1.4 million people have followed the Newcastle to South Shields route since the first event. Entrants range from elite international athletes to charity fundraisers, club runners, first-time competitors and people completing the course in costume.

The scale of the field makes the event one of the world’s largest half marathons. It also creates a major logistical operation involving medical teams, volunteers, transport workers, police, councils and thousands of roadside supporters.

Entries and charity places for 2026 have sold out. Anyone who missed the ballot can register for a reminder when information about the 2027 Great North Run becomes available.

What should runners take?

Participants should arrive wearing their race number and carry as little as possible. The timing chip is built into the number, so it should not be folded, damaged or covered.

Baggage buses transport labelled bags from the Newcastle start to South Shields. Runners should attach the official baggage label at home and allow enough time to hand the bag over before their wave closes.

Comfortable running shoes, suitable clothing and any personally tested energy products are the main essentials. Race day is not the time to try new shoes, unfamiliar gels or a different breakfast.

September conditions in the North East can range from warm sunshine to wind and heavy rain. Checking the forecast is useful, but runners should avoid overdressing because body temperature rises quickly once the race begins.

What spectators need to know.

Spectators can watch from numerous points between Newcastle and South Shields. Popular locations become crowded, so choosing one or two viewing points is usually more practical than trying to follow a runner along the entire route.

The free Great Run event app provides runner tracking, split times, results and event updates. Mobile tracking can occasionally lag in congested areas, so families should agree on a clear meeting place in South Shields before the race.

Road closures will operate along the route and on surrounding streets. Drivers should use the organiser’s detailed closure list rather than relying on their usual route or satellite navigation.

How to travel home from South Shields.

The Metro is expected to be the main option for runners and spectators returning from South Shields. Extra services normally operate, but queues can be lengthy because thousands of people finish within a relatively short period.

Some stations may have temporary closures, limited access or crowd-control arrangements. Anyone with a train connection from Newcastle Central should leave a generous margin rather than booking a tightly timed service.

Walking away from the busiest section before joining public transport may be more comfortable, but passengers should follow instructions from event staff and Nexus. Accommodation and parking near the finish should be booked well ahead.

The official Great North Run 2026 event page contains the current timetable, event guide, route map and road-closure information.

Join the discussion.

Are you running or supporting someone at the Great North Run 2026?