FRIDAY 6TH - SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
SPECTATOR GUIDE 2024
SPECTATOR GUIDE 2024
The AJ Bell Great North Run Weekend is almost here, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it. This guide will make sure you don’t miss a moment of the fun, so read on to learn more about everything going on over the course of the weekend.
Your support and encouragement makes a huge difference to every runner and helps create the unbeatable atmosphere the Great North Run is famous for. Be sure to get creative with supporter signs to cheer our runners to the finish line and share with us on socials – make sure you use #GreatNorthRun.
To keep up-to-date on the latest news throughout the weekend, make sure to join the conversation on social media and download our FREE Great Run app for on-the-go event day information and live tracking.
FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER (16:45 ONWARDS)
The UK Athletics Road Championships over 5k will take place before the AJ Bell Great North 5k. Come along from 4.45pm to watch and cheer as elite athletics returns to the Newcastle-Gateshead Quayside. Find out more here.
FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER (18:00 ONWARDS)
The AJ Bell Great North 5K will follow the exciting UK Road Championships race action. Come down at 18:00 pm and experience iconic Tyneside views, be part of building an electric atmosphere and enjoy upbeat local entertainment. And once the race is over, make the most of the vibrant establishments on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside with a drink - and a bite - or two. Find out more here.
TIMETABLE
17:00 UK 5k Road Championships (Women)
17:20 UK 5k Road Championships (Men)
18:10 Great North 5k Start
The AJ Bell Great North Run Weekend is almost here, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it. Your support and encouragement makes a huge difference to every runner and creates that famous, unbeatable atmosphere.
SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER (08:00 ONWARDS)
There will be a wide range of fun activities for you to get involved with throughout the weekend, from seeing the red, white and blue streaks of the Red Arrows over the Tyne Bridge, as they head towards the coast for their performance at the finish, or browsing the Event Village, tucking into tasty treats and trying out some of the games arranged by our charity partners.
This year’s event is set to be the biggest EVER with over 10,500 kids set to take part.
Come along to the Quayside from 8:45 am and support the next generation of running as different waves take part throughout the day. Get a glimpse (and maybe even high-five) official mascot Tyney the Tortoise at the start line, finish line and in the Event Village, and AJ Bell mascot Investabell will be there supporting runners too.
This guide will make sure you don’t miss a moment of the fun, so read on to learn more about everything going on over the course of the weekend.
To keep up-to-date on the latest news throughout the weekend, make sure to join the conversation on social media.
The Event Village is on Newcastle’s Quayside. There’s a special Come Try It zone, within the Riverside Car Park, with a range of activities for all the family to enjoy. Find out more here.
TIMETABLE
08:45 Mini waves start
13:25 Mini50 wave start
13:40 Wheelchair wave start
14:10 Junior waves start
SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER (10:00 ONWARDS)
The AJ Bell Great North Run needs no introduction, but we’re going to give it one anyway. The world’s biggest and best half marathon, expect elite runners, celebrity entrants and an iconic route. This year, 60,000 everyday heroes will line up at the start line, with many raising millions for charity. Can’t make it down in person? Tune in on BBC One from 10am.
TIMETABLE
10:00 LIVE coverage on BBC One
10:25 Elite wheelchair start
10:30 Elite women start
10:32 Visually impaired start
10:55 Elite men and Masses waves start
Highlights on BBC Two from 18:00-19:00
SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER (10:00 ONWARDS)
KEY CHANGES TO THIS YEAR:
The Tyne Bridge is spectator free this year due to restoration work. The bridge will only be accessible for pedestrians to walk across on one side and will be marshalled throughout the day to prevent spectating.
We have made significant changes to the start process this year, to improve the runner experience. Unfortunately, this means that the start is spectator free. Please do not come to the start if you are not running.
However, you can spot and cheer on runners anywhere along the rest of the Great North Run route (see route map here)
We recommend choosing one place to spectate on the day. Public transport will be extremely busy and it will take time to reach the race route from Metro stations and bus stops. Heworth, Gateshead Stadium and Gateshead Metro stations are close to the route, but these areas become extremely busy.
SUNDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER (10:00 ONWARDS)
CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT IN STYLE WITH THIS SPECIAL OFFER
If you’re looking for somewhere to enjoy the event day buzz while your loved ones are running, why not wave them off from the start line and head down to By The River Brew and HWKRLAND (on the Gateshead side of the river, just underneath the Tyne Bridge). They are not only showing the live BBC action on their big screen throughout the day, but they also have a delicious selection of food and drinks to enjoy while you wait for your loved ones.
Once your runners have crossed the finish line and have made their way back to Newcastle – you can continue the party and celebrate their achievement with views across the Tyne. HWKRLAND and By The River Brew will be open until 11am - 7pm on Sunday, and will be showing the live broadcast, as well as the highlights show.
GET THE EVENT DAY TRACKING APP
DON’T MISS A SECOND OF THE ACTION
Download the Great Run Event Day app. All you need is an entrant’s name or run number and you can track multiple runners at the same time. Thanks to timing mats at mile intervals, tracking is super-accurate, and you’ll have lots of other info at your fingertipsaverage pace, expected finish time and more.
You can download the app for free on the App Store or Google Play here.
SPECTATOR MAP
TRAVEL
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Public transport is the best way to travel across the North East on Great North Run weekend. You can find travel information on the Nexus website and plan your journey here. Be prepared though, as routes will be busy and there will be road closures in place for the weekend. Plan ahead and leave plenty of time to get to where you want to be, especially if you are heading from the start to the finish.
TYNE BRIDGE & A1 WORKS
Travelling from outside the North East? Be aware that there are several traffic restrictions in place on both the A1 and the Tyne Bridge. Do allow extra time for your journey by car over the weekend and plan your route to help avoid delays and congestion. For more information visit the Tyne Bridge travel advice page here, and the National Highways website here.
TRAVEL
QUAYSIDE EVENTS – FRIDAY & SATURDAY
The Quayside is a short walk from Newcastle and Gateshead centres with excellent metro and bus links.
Walking from Gateshead? You can access Quayside events by heading across the Swing Bridge and Millennium.
N ewcastle city centre has plenty of car parks and on-street parking options available. From here, it’s a short walk to the Quayside. More information on parking can be found here.
Please note: There will be some parking restrictions in place around the Quayside for the event. More information found here.
TRAVEL
GREAT NORTH RUN - SUNDAY
GREAT NORTH RUN SPECIAL DAY ROVER
Our top tip for travelling in and around Newcastle on event day is to purchase an AJ Bell Great North Run Day Rover wristband. The wristbands are just £6 and can be used by spectators to travel all day on Sunday 8 September. The wristbands cover travel on:
If you haven’t already got one, you can buy yours from ticket machines from 11 August.
If you choose to buy tickets on the day instead, please pay by card or contactless if you can, to help speed up boarding, minimise queues and to avoid ticket machines running out of change.
MEETING FRIENDS AND FAMILY
We recommend that you choose just one place to see family and friends take part – at the race start in Newcastle, or somewhere on the route, or at the finish in South Shields. It is almost impossible to see a runner in more than one location, as public transport will be very busy, and because it takes time to reach the race route itself from Metro stations and bus stops.
Tyne and Wear Metro
Any bus service in Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland
The Shields Ferry Northern trains between Newcastle and Sunderland
TRAVEL
BY METRO
The nearest metro station to the start of the Great North Run is Haymarket, the nearest to the finish is the South Shields. If you are heading to the race finish: Take the Metro from Haymarket or Monument to South Shields – there will be a train every 7 ½ minutes once the race has started. Shuttle bus services will also be running from Haymarket (St Mary’s Place and Percy Street) and Barras Bridge to the finish area.
Please note: Trains will be extremely busy so leave plenty of time.
BY BUS
The nearest bus stations to the start are Haymarket and Eldon Square. Buses will operate from Bents Parks in South Shields until 4.00pm.
BY FERRY
The Shields Ferry will operate extra crossings between North Shields and South Shields and will start at 7.45am. Please note that the Shields Ferry is cashless.
BY CAR
There is no official event parking available at the start. Parking will be available at the finish at South Shields on the Leas and open from 06:15. After 08:00 on Event Day, the Dragon Carparking will be open but this has limited capacity. There is parking in South Shields town centre, but this will be extremely busy. If you are driving to South Shields, please follow the diversionary signage and aim to park South of the finish on the Leas, where there is plenty of parking with unrestricted access.
IMPORTANT: Do not follow your regular Sat Nav advice but do follow the diversionary signage. We recommend you download and use the WAZE app which will detail up-to-date road closure reporting. If you do need to travel by car, consider parking at a Metro Station (Collerton Parkway, Bank Foot, Kingston Park, Regent Centre, Four Lane Ends, Northumberland Park, Heworth, Walkergate, Fellgate, East Boldon or Stadium of Light) and take the Metro.
THE FINISH
EVENT VILLAGE
The Après Run Zone is the perfect spot to wait for runners, and a great place to keep the party going. You’ll find a DJ truck providing tunes, seating areas and picnic tables, various food vendors, and a Finishers’ Marquee with Jim and Tonic bar and live bands. See a full list of the food and drink options in the Event Village here.
The finish line is located very near to the Bamburgh Pub, which will be renamed ‘The Finish Line’ once again this year in honour of the AJ Bell Great North Run. Make sure to drop in and see the (temporarily) renamed pub and soak up the atmosphere!
MEETING RUNNERS AT THE FINISH
If you are meeting a runner at the finish, agree a meeting point in advance. The official meeting point is near Gypsies Green Stadium on the right-hand side as you walk from the finish line. We suggest meeting under the A-Z banner that matches the first letter of the runner’s surname.
Meeting Point Location: what3words: trade.index.chef
FINISH MAP
RECHARGE
September Ballot Is Open
Sunday 7 September 2025
Enter before Friday 13 September 2024 at 12pm for your chance to be on the iconic start line.
ENTER THE BALLOT
