Event overview
The Great North Run is one of the largest fundraising events in the UK, providing a platform for runners to raise millions of pounds for charity every year.
World's biggest half marathon
60,000 runners line up on the start line of the Great North Run each September and a huge number of these will be charity runners ie. people who have secured a charity place in the event in return for raising funds for a charity.
Run for charity
Every year these incredible charity runners raise around £25 million for important causes. You too can get a guaranteed place in the event and make a positive difference at the same time by running for charity.
What are charity places?
Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if ballot entries are closed.
Benefits of running for charity
Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus many extras which will elevate your event experience - see the Fundraising section.
The Great North Run and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?
Event photos
Event video
- Event expo
- Event village
- Families
- Fancy dress
- Newcomers
- Spectators
- Wheelchair users
The Great North Run is the main event of an exciting weekend of running for all ages and abilities, kicking off with a fun and fast 5K on the Friday followed by a schedule of junior events on the Saturday.
Timetable
Wheelchair entrants
The Great North Run is suitable for wheelchair users. There will be a question on the entry form that asks if you are a wheelchair user and if you will be participating in a self-propelled racing wheelchair, or if you will be participating in a standard wheelchair and will be assisted (pushed).
- Bag storage
- Entertainment
- Music
- Toilets
- Urban
- Distance markers
- Entertainment
- First aid
- Food stations
- Marshals
- No cut off time
- Point to point
- Sweeper
- Toilets
- Traffic free
- Water stations
- Wave start
Overview
The Great North Run is a point-to-point run starting at Town Moor in Newcastle Town Centre and heading to the coast via the Tyne Bridge, Gateshead town centre and South Tyneside. The run finishes in South Shields after a classic mile long run along the coast road.
Map
The full route is the normal half marathon distance of 13.1 miles or 21 km and usually takes runners anywhere between an hour (for the elites) to several hours for those out enjoying themselves and soaking up the great atmosphere.
- Public transport links
- Recycling
- Sustainability policy
- Trees not tees
Joined-up Public transport
Nexus, Stagecoach, Arriva and Go North East have teamed up to offer a simple multi-use travel ticket which will be valid on Metro, any bus service, and the Shields Ferry for the day of the Great North Run. This multi-use ticket includes travel across the entire North East network on the day of the run, including Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland.
This all-day travel ticket will be available to purchase from Metro station ticket machines, as well as on the day of the event. You can also purchase wristbands online until the week before the event.
Sustainability Policy
The Great Run Company is in the process of updating its Sustainability Strategy in light of its collaborative approach and recent survey. Work to minimise the environmental impacts of their events will continue throughout this process, with particular focus on:
- Reducing plastic
- Reducing waste
- Cutting carbon emissions
- Responsible procurement
In addition, they are striving to improve performance even further by making sure that sustainability is embedded at the heart of the organisation and culture.
Optional finisher tees
The organisers have made the decision to introduce optional finisher tees to Great Run events. You can choose to forgo a finisher tee shirt at the point of entry, and in lieu of this they will make a donation to the National Trust Woodlands Appeal. They will donate a portion of the fulfilment costs for each runner who chooses this option to the fund and commit that this donation to be approx. £20,000.
- Certificate
- Event app
- Goody bag
- iTAB
- Medal
- Race photo
- Technical t-shirt
- Training plan
The greatest reward in taking part is the sense of achievement as you cross the finish line, but by taking your place on the Great North Run start line, you’re already part of something really special. This event is renowned for being well-organised, safe, and inclusive and the atmosphere and support is always unbelievable.
Included
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The medal
Every finisher gets a medal - and it’s big, it’s shiny and it’s perfect for showing off to your pals.
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The app
Download our free Great Run event app to track runners, make a donation and more - whether spectating or on the start line.
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The discounts
Enjoy exclusive discounts for 12 months after your Great Run entry. Running feels good, but money off feels even better.
Optional extras
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iTab
Make your medal personal - order yours today.
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The photos
Action shots available! The team of photographers are ready and waiting to capture your finest moment.
Event app
The Great Run app is free, providing live tracking on event day. Family and friends can see your location and track your progress on the interactive map, with times and current pace updated within seconds of crossing each split point. Features include:
- Live tracking
- Push notifications
- Live leader boards
- Event day updates
- Fundraising materials
- Fundraising support
Benefits of running for charity
When the going gets tough, your admirers step in! As 'masters of motivation', your chosen cause will spur you on and provide plenty of perks in the process:
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Fundraising support
Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think eye-catching videos for social and traditional collection tins too.
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Training support
Whether this is your first run or your fiftieth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation.
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Branded running kit
When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.
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Support on the day
When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!
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Post-race recovery
Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.
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Exclusive social groups
You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.
How to fundraise
The key to a place in the Great North Run is pledging to raise money for charity but how do you start?
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Start fundraising early
Starting your fundraising early gives you the best chance of reaching – and even exceeding – your sponsorship goal.
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Make it known
Keep talking about your fundraising target to your friends, family, colleagues, social media followers - everyone!
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Have some fun
Seize the chance to make it your own: sell unwanted clothing online, hold an afternoon tea, host a ticketed dinner party, wash some cars, shave your beard; be inspired!
Best in the world. This event cannot get better.
The spectators made it feel really special and every charity station cheered me on. The medal and goody bag were top notch. I'd highly recommend this race.
Love it, will go back every year. I have done the Great North Run 10 times over many years. It's always a special and different event every year.
The best event ever. My sixth consecutive and I intend to keep going. Everything is superbly organised, it's like a massive family. The volunteers are amazing.
So many wonderful supporters and volunteers made it a fantastic day. Running over the Tyne Bridge with the Red Arrows overhead is something I'll never forget!
Great day. Great weather. Great atmosphere. Great supporters. Great experience. Great time. Great North Run.
The Great North Run was a brilliant experience and a very well-organised event. There was a fantastic atmosphere with incredible support.
Such a friendly and encouraging event and a credit to the region.
The crowds and entertainment that support the run are absolutely outstanding.
- Age 17 & over
- 60000 places
- Ballot closed
- to 06/07/2025
- Ballot
- Charity places
- Enter online
- Event merch available
- Race pack by post
How to enter the Great North Run
There are 3 ways to secure your place in this fantastic event in 2025:
- Ballot entry - The first round of ballot applications closed in 2024. The second round of ballot entries closed in January 2025.
- Charity place - join a charity team and raise money for a worthy cause.
- Elite runner - only for elite runners who meet some fairly strict criteria.
Entering the Ballot
Places in the event are allocated using a ballot system.
Those successful in the ballot will secure an entry into the Great North Run.
Anyone who is unsuccessful with their September ballot application can try again in the January Ballot.
Don't worry if you're not one of the lucky ones, you'll still be able to join a charity team to secure your place.
Charity places
If you weren't one of the lucky ballot applications or you want to skip the ballot hassle or you'd prefer to run as part of a charity team, you can secure your place at the start line with one of our charity partners. Charities are taking entries for 2025 now. You can search by name or cause - or just find the cheapest registration fee or lowest fundraising amount. Charity places usually close at the beginning of July.
