Great Run
Be Your Greatest

Great Run

Organising some of the biggest events in the UK, let alone the world, Great Run are creating brilliant opportunities to get active outdoors and make unforgettable memories at the same time. Discover their range of events and races below!

Road runs, trail runs, junior events & swims

The Great Run Company organises the UK's biggest and best run series, including:

  • Great North Run - the world's biggest half marathon
  • Great Manchester Run - enjoy the Mancunian spirit
  • Great Birmingham Run - the Midland's biggest and best
  • Great Bristol Run - the 'best in the South West'
  • Great Scottish Run - Glasgow city centre vibes
  • Great South Run - probably the world's favourite 10 miler
  • 13 Valleys Ultra - 4 epic Lake District routes
  • Great North Swim & SwimRun - UK's biggest open water swims

Inclusive, challenging and inspiring, these events cater for runners of all abilities and ages, from first-timers to experienced athletes, often with a focus on supporting charity fundraisers. Expect scenic routes, motivational entertainment and enthusiastic crowds. You might even be on the telly!

Discover the headline events that have made Great Run one of the most popular event organisers in the UK:

Great Run events in 2026

From toddler dashes to some of the world's biggest events.

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? These events see the younger Brummie runners tackle a supercharged run in the city centre with a carnival atmosphere to get athletes off to a flying start.
  • Sat 2 May
  • £17
Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great Birmingham Run

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? These events see the younger Brummie runners tackle a supercharged run in the city centre with a carnival atmosphere to get athletes off to a flying start.

  • Fun run 2
Take on the Midlands' biggest and best running event! Thousands of Brummies pound the streets every year, from the heart of the city with an incredible atmosphere all the way.
  • Sun 3 May
  • £35-£48
Birmingham, West Midlands, UK

AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run

Take on the Midlands' biggest and best running event! Thousands of Brummies pound the streets every year, from the heart of the city with an incredible atmosphere all the way.

  • 10K run
  • Half marathon
Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? These events see younger Bristol runners tackle a supercharged sprint with a carnival atmosphere to get athletes off to a flying start.
  • Sat 9 May
  • £17
Bristol, Somerset, UK

AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great Bristol Run

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? These events see younger Bristol runners tackle a supercharged sprint with a carnival atmosphere to get athletes off to a flying start.

  • Fun run 2
Loved by Bristolians and beyond, it's the best in the South West! Each year, thousands of runners push their perseverance and passion to the limit and take on Bristol’s super-scenic routes.
  • Sun 10 May
  • £39-£52
Bristol, Somerset, UK

AJ Bell Great Bristol Run

Loved by Bristolians and beyond, it's the best in the South West! Each year, thousands of runners push their perseverance and passion to the limit and take on Bristol’s super-scenic routes.

  • Half marathon
  • 10K run
Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? Take on the challenge, soak up the atmosphere and discover your superpower! This event is the perfect stage for young runners to shine.
  • Sat 30 May
  • £22
Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great Manchester Run

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? Take on the challenge, soak up the atmosphere and discover your superpower! This event is the perfect stage for young runners to shine.

  • Fun run 2
The city’s original and best-loved running event! With a 10K or a half marathon distance to choose from, over 99% of Manchester runners say they’d recommend it to a friend.
  • Sun 31 May
  • £45-£55
Manchester, Greater Manchester, UK

AJ Bell Great Manchester Run

The city’s original and best-loved running event! With a 10K or a half marathon distance to choose from, over 99% of Manchester runners say they’d recommend it to a friend.

  • Half marathon
  • 10K run
The UK's biggest open water swimming event providing a fantastic opportunity for families, individuals, experienced and beginner swimmers to enjoy the open water.
  • Fri 12 - Sun 14 Jun
  • £22-£100
Windermere, Cumbria, UK

Coventry Building Society Great North Swim

The UK's biggest open water swimming event providing a fantastic opportunity for families, individuals, experienced and beginner swimmers to enjoy the open water.

  • Charity swim
  • Lake swim 5
Get ready to see a side of Newcastle you’ve never seen before with unbeatable city views and the ultimate finish line feeling on the Great North Road with brilliant bling and t-shirt!
  • Sun 5 Jul
  • £37-£40
Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK

AJ Bell Great North 10K

Get ready to see a side of Newcastle you’ve never seen before with unbeatable city views and the ultimate finish line feeling on the Great North Road with brilliant bling and t-shirt!

  • 10 km road running + 291 ft ascent
The AJ Bell Great North 5K is the curtain-raiser event for the North East’s biggest weekend of sport! It’s a fun, flat 5k dash around Newcastle and Gateshead’s vibrant Quayside.
  • Fri 11 Sep
  • £27-£30
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK

AJ Bell Great North 5K

The AJ Bell Great North 5K is the curtain-raiser event for the North East’s biggest weekend of sport! It’s a fun, flat 5k dash around Newcastle and Gateshead’s vibrant Quayside.

  • 5 km road running
Take on the course, feel the Great North atmosphere, and discover your superpower. Run for fun, charity or a personal best at the AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run.
  • Sat 12 Sep
  • £27
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK

Junior & Mini Great North Run

Take on the course, feel the Great North atmosphere, and discover your superpower. Run for fun, charity or a personal best at the AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great North Run.

  • Fun run 2
Join 60,000 runners at the world’s biggest and best half marathon with a ballot entry. Get the low-down on key dates, the route and race-day logistics, then secure your place on the iconic start line.
  • Sun 13 Sep
  • £15-£50
Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, UK

AJ Bell Great North Run

Join 60,000 runners at the world’s biggest and best half marathon with a ballot entry. Get the low-down on key dates, the route and race-day logistics, then secure your place on the iconic start line.

  • 13.1 miles road running + 404 ft ascent
Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? Take on the challenge, soak up the atmosphere and discover your superpower! This event is the perfect stage for young runners to shine.
  • Sat 3 Oct
  • FREE-£20
  • Early bird
Glasgow, Glasgow City, UK

AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great Scottish Run

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? Take on the challenge, soak up the atmosphere and discover your superpower! This event is the perfect stage for young runners to shine.

  • Fun run 3
With a city centre start and finish, this is a celebration of everything that is great about Glasgow: inspiring urban architecture, green spaces, history, music, strength, spirit and great people.
  • Sun 4 Oct
  • £36-£48
  • Early bird
Glasgow, Glasgow City, UK

AJ Bell Great Scottish Run

With a city centre start and finish, this is a celebration of everything that is great about Glasgow: inspiring urban architecture, green spaces, history, music, strength, spirit and great people.

  • 10K run
  • Half marathon
Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? Take on the challenge, soak up the atmosphere and discover your superpower! This event is the perfect stage for young runners to shine.
  • Sat 17 Oct
  • £22
Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK

AJ Bell Junior & Mini Great South Run

Who said grown-ups should have all the fun? Take on the challenge, soak up the atmosphere and discover your superpower! This event is the perfect stage for young runners to shine.

  • Fun run 2
Kicking off the famous weekend of running on a route with beautiful views across the Solent, an incredible atmosphere, lovely fresh sea air and a fast and flat route with PB potential.
  • Sat 17 Oct
  • £27-£30
Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK

AJ Bell Great South 5K

Kicking off the famous weekend of running on a route with beautiful views across the Solent, an incredible atmosphere, lovely fresh sea air and a fast and flat route with PB potential.

  • 5 km road running
Probably the world’s favourite 10 mile running event with inspiring history, salty air and glorious sea views guaranteed! Local supporters will keep your spirits and motivation up the whole way.
  • Sun 18 Oct
  • £51-£53
Southsea, Hampshire, UK

AJ Bell Great South Run

Probably the world’s favourite 10 mile running event with inspiring history, salty air and glorious sea views guaranteed! Local supporters will keep your spirits and motivation up the whole way.

  • 10 miles road running

Altra 13 Valleys Ultra

An epic event in the Lake District National Park.

Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!
  • Sun 27 Sep
  • £70
Keswick, Cumbria, UK

2 Valleys Trail

Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!

  • 22.4 km trail running + 500 m ascent
Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!
  • Sat 26 Sep
  • £130
Keswick, Cumbria, UK

5 Valleys Ultra

Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!

  • 58.4 km trail running + 2500 m ascent
Entries closed
Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!
  • Sat 26 Sep
  • £185
Ambleside, Lake District National Park, UK

7 Valleys Ultra

Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!

  • 110.3 km trail running + 3800 m ascent
Entries closed
Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!
  • Fri 25 Sep
  • £230
Keswick, Cumbria, UK

13 Valleys Ultra

Celebrating the unique valleys of the Lake District which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, by linking them together with spectacular trail and ultra routes for you to enjoy!

  • 184.3 km trail running + 7000 m ascent
4 steps to wellbeing
Sleep well

A good night's sleep is an essential foundation for a healthy lifestyle, effective training and weight control.

Train slow

Low-intensity training is easier for you, reduces the risk of injury and helps builds an efficient aerobic system.

Eat natural

Cut out sugar & junk food, reduce carbs, eat natural foods and train your body to burn fat for fuel.

Get outdoors

Fresh air, natural light and reconnecting with nature all help to improve mental and physical wellbeing.