Great North 10k Event Guide

Event Guide 2024

The big day is nearly here, and we want to help you with any event day questions so you can focus on the important things: soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying your run.

We’ve got all the info you need here, but you can also check out greatrun.org for last-minute changes and the FREE Great Run app for on-the-day information, live tracking and opportunities to donate to runners’ chosen charities for family and friends.

And to follow all the action as it happens, join the conversation on social media - just make sure you use

Timetable

0800 Event Site Open

0900 Assembly Area Open

0950 Warm Up

1000 Orange/Fast Paced Wave START

1008 Green Wave START

1014 NUF Black & White Wave START

1016 Pink Wave START

1300 Event Site Closes

Travel

When travelling to the event we suggest you make use of the various public transport options available on the day. Haymarket has excellent metro and bus links and is just a short walk from the start line on the Central Motorway. You can plan your journey by public transport here.

Leave plenty of time to get to the start line, and if you plan to travel by car be aware that there will be a number of road closures in place for the weekend. You can see a full list here.

Any travel updates will be added to the website, so please check the event page ahead of the event.

Information Point

The Information Point is there for last-minute queries, anyone who hasn’t received their race number, or race pack collection for anyone who enters after the cut-off date. Look out for the AJ Bell branded marquee.

Location

Town Moor

Opening Times Sunday 7th July: 08:00 – 13:00hrs

Jog On Shoe Recycling

You’ll also find our Jog On Shoe Collection point next to the Information Point, where runners can donate old and unwanted trainers.

Safety Pins

No safety pins for your race number? No worries. You can collect some from the stand next to the Information Point without having to queue.

Wave & Start Time

Your wave colour and start time can be found on your run number, which should arrive in the post approximately 2 weeks before the event. Once you’ve received it, you have everything you need for event day, and you don’t need to visit the Information Point to register on the day. Simply attach your run number (which has your timing chip attached) to the front of your running top with safety pins and head to the start line.

Baggage

Baggage buses are located within the Event Village on the Town Moor. There will be 4 numbered buses, so please remember which one you use. Fill in your baggage label (tear off from your run number) before leaving the house. Make sure your baggage label is secured to your bag. You’ll need your run number to gain access to the buses to drop off and collect your bag, so we can ensure it corresponds to the baggage label.

• Sorry, but the Baggage Buses are not for changing.

• Please make room for other runners as soon as you’ve dropped off your bag - thank you!

• Please don’t leave valuables in your bags - this is a self-service system and, although there are security staff present, we can’t accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Your Run Number

Your run number must only be worn by you on the day, and it should match the master number on your covering letter. If it’s different, please contact Customer Services here.

Please don’t swap, copy, or change this number - passing your number on to someone else could put them at risk from illness or injury if they’re not properly prepared. If your run number hasn’t arrived through the post, please visit the Information Point to collect a replacement.

Please Note: if you secure your entry after 10 am on Friday 28 June your run number must be collected from the Information point. We’re also unable to send race packs outside of the UK as we cannot guarantee their delivery, so will need to be collected from the Information Point.

Timing

Your timing chip is attached to the back of your run number. Please don’t remove the chip – it will affect the accuracy of your time. The chip will automatically record your time for you, and you don’t need to do anything else. Your chip doesn’t need to be returned at the end of the run.

You can access your results on the AJ Bell Great Run Series App, or on our website here after the event.

Warm Up

A warm-up artist will be on site to get you warmed up and stretched out. Waves set off separately to help regulate the flow of runners through the course.

Pacers

Achieve your best time with the help of our SOLGAR pacemakers. Follow a pacemaker marked with the time you want and pace your run to perfection.

Running with friends Walking

If you want to run with a friend but have different coloured run numbers, you can drop back to run together in the same wave, but not move forward.

If you plan on walking or walking/running the event, please start at the rear of your wave and stay to the left-hand side of the road. If you’re walking at less than12 minutes per km, you may be asked to move on to the footpath for the later sections of the race.

Start & Finish Map

Course Map

Entertainment Map

There will be one drink station situated on the route and water will also be available for runners at the finish, before/after collecting finisher packs. Please note: all water will be provided in paper cups, and there is no bottled water provided in finisher packs.

There will be an additional water filling station located on the Town Moor (see start & finish map), where runners can fill their own water bottles/ packs.

Hydration Medical Support

Medical facilities will be available near to the start and finish line and will be positioned around the course should you require assistance. Please contact a medic or steward if you need help at any time.

Toilets

There will be a number of toilets located within the Event Village on the Town Moor to use on arrival and after your run. There will also be toilets available on course, at the drink station. Toilet facilities will be busy before and after the run, so please allow plenty of time.

At the finish

Don’t stop immediately after you cross the finish line – please keep walking for a short distance so that you don’t block other runners. No matter your pace, everyone has run the same event and everyone will get to cross the finish line.

Finishers’ Packs

Finishers’ packs will be sorted by t-shirt size and will include your medal and other treats. Please take the pack that matches the t-shirt size you chose when you entered the event.

T-Shirt Opt Out

If you selected ‘No T-shirt’ at the time of entering the event, you will not receive a finishers’ t-shirt.

Please follow the signage to the ‘No T-shirt’ lane. This will clearly indicated on your running number and there will be volunteers and stewards on hand to help.

PLEASE NOTE: If you selected no T-shirt, you cannot take a T-shirt on the day. There are only enough on site for all those who requested one at the time of entering.

Après Run

The fun doesn’t stop after you’ve crossed the finish line. Continue the highenergy celebration and embrace the post-run high by stepping into our Après Run Zone, on the Town Moor, where we’ve got a DJ truck providing club anthems. Family and friends will be able to wait for runners here as they cross the finish line and exit the finish system.

Meeting Point

The meeting point is located within the Event Village on the Town Moor.

Missing Persons

A missing persons point is located within the Event Village on the Town Moor. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official, or police officer.

Official Photos

Event photos will be going live from the moment you pass a Marathon Photos Live photographer on the course. Don’t forget to check them out here when you finish and share your run number with your friends and family, and they can register to be notified as soon as your photos are available.

Runners Reward

You have exclusive access to Great Run Rewards powered by Endurance Zone. Great Run Rewards gives you access to a selection of fantastic discounts from our friends at Endurance Zone. Browse through hundreds of offers from a range of lifestyle, sport, fitness and outdoor brands.

Recycling

We’re constantly reviewing our sustainability and recycling practices and have made a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from plastic and other materials across the entire event.

We work with local partners to remove waste from the event site (plastic, cardboard, wooden pallets, medals, and signage) from the run site. We reuse generic signage and keep using it for as long as we can, and our outdated signage is fully recycled. Clothing discarded by runners at the start of the race is collected and donated to local charities.

• We ask that you please use the recycling bins on site to discard any waste accordingly.

• There will be one drink station situated on the route and water will also be available for runners at the finish. Water will be provided in paper cups and there is no bottled water provided in finisher packs.

• If you opt to bring your own standard, single-use plastic water bottle, please make sure you throw it in the clearly marked recycling bins that will be available in the start and finish area.

Have a happy & healthy run

Please talk to your doctor before the event if you have any long-term health conditions or any health concerns. Don’t run if you feel unwell or have been ill recently. If you experience heart palpitations, light headedness or dizziness, chest pain or tightness, shortness of breath, excessive wheezing, or severe joint and muscle pain during or after your run, this can be a sign of a serious condition.

Seek advice on taking part in the event after a bout of flu or gastroenteritis. Don’t be tempted to start just because you’ve collected sponsorship to raise money for charity - staying fit and well is the most important thing.

Event day tips

Make sure you’re comfortable. Ideally, run in your shoes for around a month before your Great Run challenge.

Stay warm. Bring old clothes to wear on the start line and throw them away when you start (we donate these to charity).

Avoid chafing. Apply Vaseline to any areas prone to chafing – e.g. groin, upper thighs, under your arms, around your bra band or toes.

Protect your skin. Use weather resistant sun cream if it’s sunny.

If the first few miles are crowded, don’t tire yourself out dodging in and out. Try to maintain a steady, even pace to help you enjoy the event.

When you finish, collect your bag ASAP. Put on some warm, dry clothing and don’t get cold. Take a drink as soon as you can after crossing the finish line.

Try to eat some starchy foods within two hours of finishing the event – your muscles can replace energy most efficiently during this post-run window.

Make sure you’re fully hydrated with water or squash before consuming any alcohol.

In the weeks leading up to the event, the colour of your urine is a useful indicator of hydration. Pale straw-coloured water is ideal.

During your run, drink when you need to. Don’t take big gulps if you’re not thirsty – you could put yourself in a condition called hyponatraemia where your body salts become diluted, possibly causing confusion and vomiting.

Make sure you know where the drink stations are on route. Water will be available, but only take a drink if you need one.