Get set, ready, go! Great North Run under way
· Yahoo Sports
The Great North Run (GNR) returns to Tyneside this weekend, with 63,000 runners taking part in the world's biggest half marathon - including Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Visit freshyourfeel.org for more information.
England star and Newcastle captain Dan Burn rang the starter's bell, with famous faces including football personality Chris Kamara and fitness coach Joe Wicks among those taking on the challenge.
The 13.1-mile (21km) event sees runners and wheelchair users race from Newcastle through Gateshead and South Tyneside, before finishing in South Shields.
The elite women's and wheelchair athlete races set off first followed by the men's elite and the masses.
This year's event is being broadcast live on BBC One.
Briton David Weir won the men's elite wheelchair race in just over 43 minutes, while Brigid Kosgei won the women's contest in 01:06:15.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, pictured with Brendan Foster, sported a Number 10 bib [PA Media]Newcastle captain Dan Burn was this year's race starter [NNP]The 13.1-mile (21km) route goes from Newcastle to South Shields. [NNP]Several planned road closures are in place across the weekend, including the A167 and A194.
Parts of the A184 in Gateshead are also blocked and diversions put in place due to a burst water main causing flooding at the roundabout near the A189 Redheugh Bridge.
Saturday kicked off with Mini and Junior events on Newcastle's Quayside [NNP]Saturday's Mini and Junior events on Newcastle's Quayside saw 13,000 young people take on courses ranging from 50m (164ft) to 4km (2.5 miles).
Gladiators Alex Gray (Apollo), Emily Steel (Dynamite) and Matty Campbell (Bionic) rang Saturday's starters' bell alongside GNR mascot Tyney the Tortoise.
According to organisers, this year's Mini and Junior events were the biggest in its 40-year history.
They gave youngsters "the chance to experience their own Great North Run moment - creating memories, soaking up the atmosphere and, for many, getting a taste of what the main event feels like", they added.
This year's Mini and Junior events saw 13,000 young people take part [NNP]Saturday's event saw youngsters take on courses ranging from 50m (164ft) to 4km (2.5 miles) [NNP]The route was accessible for children who use wheelchairs [NNP]Sunday's half marathon is in its 45th year and starts on Newcastle's Central Motorway and finishes on The Leas in South Shields.
The Red Arrows flypast over the city is scheduled for 10:50.
About £25m is raised for charity each year and the total number of finishers to date is 1.4 million, organisers say.
The 2026 medal was designed by local artist Alex Mulholland - known as Mul - and features the Tyne Bridge.
"The design celebrates the stories behind each runner, and the incredible causes that inspire so many people to take on the event," he said.
Local artist Alex Mulholland - known as Mul - designed this year's medal [Great North Run]Last year, the 2024 New York Marathon champion Sheila Chepkirui won the women's elite race, while Alex Mutiso won the men's competition.
Sean Frame won the men's wheelchair race in 49:24 and Mel Nicholls won the women's contest in 1:05:24.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.
- Tens of thousands taking part in Great North Run
- What to expect from this year's Great North Run
- Great North Run attracts younger runners
- Bereaved dad who 'lost running spirit' to run GNR