The Great North Run starts on the A167 close to Claremont Road. 60,000 runners make their way along the 13.1 mile route to the finish at South Shields after a final mile-long seafront stretch. Check out the route map for the full route and elevation profile. If you’re a participant, please see the event guide (available one month before) for your arrival time, arrival route and assembly access for your wave colour.

The Great North Run route has both uphill and downhill sections. Miles 1-2, 5-8 and 12-13.1 are mainly downhill, whereas many runners report that they find miles 8-12 the toughest section – there’s quite a bit of uphill during this four-mile stretch. But don’t worry – there’s music, entertainment and thousands of supporters at every turn. Know exactly what to expect with some detailed advice on training for your Great North Run route in our training advice here.

Your race number also contains your timing chip and will arrive from approx. 4 weeks before the run. If your run number doesn’t arrive, you’ll need to collect your race number from one of the information points the day before, or morning of the event (Bring ID with you). Information point locations and opening times will feature in the event guide, published approx. 6 weeks before the event.

If you wish to move to a slower wave then that is fine, simply assemble with the later wave. You do not need to visit the information point. It is not possible to move to a faster wave. Waves are allocated based on your estimated time and cannot be changed.

Easy – with the free Great Run event day app. Use our accurate tracking feature to keep tabs on family, friends, celebrities and elites, see professional photos as soon as they’re uploaded and stay up-to-date with race day info and last-minute changes. The Great Run app is free to download from the Apple app store or Google Play.

Yes. Baggage buses can be found in your Runners Hub. Please see the event guide for your baggage bus opening times and location (Available one month before the event). Allow plenty of time for dropping off. Make sure you fill out your baggage label (found on your race number), detach and fasten it securely to your bag before you leave home. At the finish, you’ll need to use your race number to collect your bag at South Shields.

Keep a lookout for regular emails from the Great Run team in the run up to the event with your Event Guide and other important event info. It’s also available here on the website one month before the event.

We’re glad you asked. No matter your running experience, we’ve got free, easy-to-follow half marathon training plans on our Training Plans page You’ll also find some bespoke information on training for the Great North Run in our training section.

The fun doesn’t stop at the finish line. Check out the Great North Run event village and Après Run Zone with its very own beer and entertainment tent, exhibitors, food and drink vendors…the list goes on! There’s also lots of cafés and bars around the local area in South Shields, if you want to soak up the atmosphere before heading home.

With 60,000 runners plus family and friends supporting them, transport systems are extremely busy after the Great North Run. It’s vital that you plan your route home in advance. We recommend getting the Metro from South Shields, if possible, but be aware that you may have to wait for some time. Although extra services will be running, some Metro stations will be closed or have limited access after the run.

All participants must be aged 17 or over at the time of the event taking place in order to enter the AJ Bell Great North Run.

The deadline to secure an AJ Bell Great North Run charity place for 2026 has passed, and charity places are sold out. If you missed out on a charity place this year, sign up to our ballot reminder to receive 2027 event updates.