Held annually in Newcastle upon Tyne, the Great North Run is the UK’s biggest running event – and one of the largest half marathons in the world. The bucket list race attracts around 60,000 entrants every year – from charity runners and first-time joggers to PB pursuers and world-leading elites – and, each time, raises around £25 million for good causes. When it returns for its 44th edition on Sunday 7 September 2025, it is set to be more spectacular than ever.
‘Each year, we’re amazed how the whole of the North East gets behind and celebrates the event to create a truly special occasion,’ says Paul Foster, CEO of the Great Run Company, which organises the ever-iconic Great North Run. ‘The event is going from strength to strength and plans are very much underway to make this year’s event the best yet.’
To add to the occasion, we’re very pleased to announce that the Runner’s World UK Podcast will be recording at the event from the Brooks Live stage in the Apres Run Zone (see the map below) near the finish line. So, if you’re there, pop by to catch us interviewing some of the runners and celebrities taking part in this year’s race.
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Read on for more information about the 2025 Great North Run – a huge date in the running calendar.
When is the 2025 Great North Run?
The 2025 Great North Run will take place on Sunday 7 September.
How can I enter the Great North Run?
The 2025 race is closed to entries, but the ballot for the 2026 race on Sunday 13th September 2026 has officially opened and you can enter now via the Great North Run website.
How far is the Great North Run?
The Great North Run is a half marathon, which equates to approximately 13.1 miles (or 21.1km).
What time does the Great North Run start?
The 2025 Great North Run will set off in waves – Striped, Orange, Green and Pink – and the colour of runners’ bib numbers will indicate which waves they are in.
The elite wheelchair athletes will start first at 10:20am, followed by the elite women at 10:25am. Visually impaired participants will then set off at 10:27am, before the elite men and runners in the Striped and Orange waves get going at 10:50am. Green wave runners will then start at approximately 11:25am and Pink wave runners at about midday.
Your wave colour will also determine your arrival route, arrival time and assembly time, as well as your designated Runners’ Hub, where you can access toilets and drop off your bag (more on that below). With that in mind, please read and digest the information in this year’s Event Guide to make sure that you are aware of your timings and locations for the day.
How do runners get their bib numbers?
If you’re taking part in this year’s Great North Run, you’ll receive your bib number in the post one to two weeks prior to the event. Simply attach your bib number, which includes your all-important timing chip, to your chosen running top and you’re good to go.
If your bib number doesn’t arrive, or you need to pick up a replacement, bring your ID and confirmation email with you to one of the information points – detailed in your Event Guide – either the day before or the morning of the race.
Will the race have a bag drop facility?
Yes – if you’re running, you will be able to drop off a bag in a baggage bus that corresponds with your wave colour. You’ll find the correct baggage buses in your designated Runners’ Hub in Newcastle. The Runners’ Hub for Striped, Orange and Pink wave runners will be located at Town Moor (what3words location: lame.robe.bumps), while the Runners’ Hub for Green wave runners will be located at Claremont Road (what3words location: export.often.heap).
Remember to fill out your baggage label and attach it securely to your bag before you drop it off – and make sure that you deposit it within the timeframe detailed in your Event Guide. This is important, as the baggage buses will need to drive off promptly to reach the finish line before you do.
What is the Great North Run route?
Following an iconic city-to-coast route, the Great North Run starts in Newcastle city centre and heads out across the Tyne Bridge just ahead of the two-mile mark. Runners will then pass the Gateshead International Stadium before continuing on toward the coast, making a final turn at the 12-mile point and skirting the seafront for the final stretch to South Shields.
How can runners get to the start line?
The best way to travel to the start line is via public transport. The nearest bus stations are Haymarket and Eldon Square, while Haymarket Metro Station is about a 15-minute walk away and the best place for Green and Pink wave runners to disembark. Striped and Orange wave runners, meanwhile, should disembark at Jesmond Metro Station and head to the start line from there.
South Shields Metro Station is about a 20-minutes walk from the finish line. Trains will be busy, so allow extra time to make your way to the start line and expect queues to board the Metro once you’ve finished.
Where are the best places to spectate the Great North Run?
If you’re supporting the Great North Run from the roadside, you’ll get a great view of the action early on in Newcastle, either by the start line or near Tyne Bridge, where you can often see the Red Arrows flying overhead.
Due to the race’s popularity, the course usually gets extremely busy, so allow plenty of time to get to the finish line in South Shields if you’re meeting a runner there post-race.
What pubs are near the finish line?
After the race, whether you’re a spectator or runner, it’s worth celebrating the occasion with a drink and some food. The Great North Run event village and Après Run Zone has a bar, entertainment tent, exhibitors, food and drink vendors and plenty more.
The local area also boasts some great pubs too, including...
- The New Sundial, which is very close to the finish line – so expect it to be busy!
- The Fountain, which is about a mile away from the finish area. It offers up grilled food as a speciality, so if you’re after a post-race burger, this is the place to go.
- The Steamboat, which sits a stone’s throw from the banks of the Tyne, very near to the South Shields ferry port. It’s the perfect pitstop for a drink if you’re getting the ferry home.
- The Westoe Pub, which is just under a mile from the finish area and not far from Chichester Metro Station.
- The Bamburgh pub, which, just like The Fountain, is a Greene King pub that serves food and drinks. It’s just that bit further down the road from the finish area, so it’s a good option for people who want to escape the crowds.
How else can you watch the Great North Run?
If you can’t make it to the race in person, you can watch this year’s Great North Run live on the BBC. The TV coverage will start at 10am on race morning and finish at 2pm that afternoon, giving you four hours of entertainment.