The big day is nearly here, and we want to help you with any event day questions so you can focus on enjoying your run and soaking up the atmosphere. Any info you might need before the big day is included in this guide. Up-to-date event information can also be found at greatrun.org.
For on-the-go event day information and live tracking for your family and friends, download the FREE Great Run app from iTunes app store or Google Play Store.
For real time updates and to follow all the action on event day, join the conversation on social media - just make sure you use
#GreatNorthRun
The AJ Bell Great North Run will be broadcast live on BBC One from 10am - 2pm Sunday 8 September
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
Timetable
1000 BBC ONE live on air
1025
1030
Elite Wheelchair race start
Elite Women start
1032 Visually Impaired race start
1040 Warm Up
1055
Elite Men and Main race start
New for 2024
At the start of this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run, colour is key.
When you receive your run number, you’ll also be assigned a wave colour (ORANGE, GREEN or PINK). Your wave colour is really important and will determine all kinds of essential information, including your arrival time, arrival route, and assembly time.
Due to the size and scale of the event, we have staggered arrival times depending on your wave colour. This is to make sure that there is a steady flow of participants arriving at the start line, and participants aren’t waiting too long to cross the start line… improving the overall start line experience.
RUNNERS’ HUBS
New to this year, we have introduced two Runners’ Hubs where you will be able to access toilet facilities, visit the information point, and access the baggage buses. It’s important that you know which Hub you need to go to on event day:
Special Numbers Runners’ Hub 1
Yellow and white stripes
Green and white stripes
Blue and white stripes
Orange Wave
Green Wave
Pink Wave
Hub 1
Hub 2
Hub 1
Please note: There will be a limited supply of bottled water for runners at the start in the assembly areas, and Runners’ Hubs on the Town Moor and Claremont Road. Please arrive hydrated, or bring your own supply, which you may carry with you while you run.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Even if you’ve taken part in the AJ Bell Great North Run before, please ensure you take a few minutes to read the NEW arrival information.
Every year we listen to our runners’ feedback to improve the experience for all participants, whether they’re at the very front, at the back or somewhere in the middle. Our teams have worked hard to create an improved start line experience – this is new information and it’s important to read through the details, so you know where to go on the morning of the event.
Key Timings
Start Overview Map
Information Point
The information point is there for last-minute queries or anyone who hasn’t received their race number. Look out for the AJ Bell branded information marquee. There are two information points available at the start on event day, one for orange and pink numbers, and one for green numbers. See Start map for locations.
We recommend beating the queues and visiting the information point on Saturday 7th September if you can, as Sunday will be extremely busy.
Saturday 7th September
Location: NE1’s Grey St. Gathering, Outside Lloyds Bank, Grey St.
What3words: yarn.leaves.appear
Opening Times 10:00 – 16:00hrs
Sunday 8th September
ORANGE & PINK NUMBERS
Location: Town Moor, Newcastle
What3words: elder.unfair.posts
GREEN NUMBERS
Location: Claremont Road, Newcastle
What3words: zest.energy.guard
Opening Times 07:30 – 13:00hrs
Opening Times 07:30 – 13:00hrs
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.
Baggage
Co-op Insurance baggage buses will depart at different times depending on wave. See the table below.
Please fill in your Co-op Insurance baggage label before leaving the house if you can.
Baggage facilities are located at your Runners’ Hub (see table below). You will need your run number to access the buses to drop your bags off and collect them at the finish in South Shields.
Please only use the buses assigned to your wave colour, and remember the number of the bus that you use.
Warm Up
There will be one warm up starting at 10:40am. This will take place in the assembly areas. We have changed the assembly process this year to allow runners to arrive later, if they wish to, so you do not need to be in your assembly area for the warm up but must be there before assembly closes.
We would recommend that all ORANGE WAVE runners are in assembly for the warm up
Getting there
We recommend using public transport to travel to the event. You can find travel information on the Nexus website. Plan your journey in advance and leave plenty of time to get to the start line, as there will be several road closures in place for the weekend.
GREAT NORTH RUN ROVER DAY TICKET
Our top tip for travelling on Sunday 8 September is to buy an AJ Bell Great North Run Rover Day Ticket Wristband. The wristbands are just £6.00 and can be used by runners and spectators to travel all day on Sunday 8 September on Tyne and Wear Metro, any bus service in Tyne and Wear, Durham and Northumberland, the Shields Ferry and Northern trains between Newcastle and Sunderland.
If you haven’t already got one, Rover Day Ticket wristbands are on sale until Friday 23 August. You can buy yours online at nexus.org.uk.
If you choose to buy tickets on the day instead, please pay by card or contactless, to help speed up boarding, avoid ticket machines running out of change and minimise queues.
BY METRO
The best way to get to the start by Metro is to leave the train at one of the city centre stations noted below depending on your Wave number colour. Trains will be extremely busy so leave plenty of time and plan your journey at nexus.org.uk.
Suggested Metro station
After alighting follow the signs to the Runner’s Hub.
Green Use Haymarket or Monument.
Orange Travelling from the North use Jesmond* or Haymarket. Travelling from the South use Monument or Haymarket.
Pink Travelling from the North use Jesmond* or Haymarket. Travelling from the South use Monument or Haymarket.
* Jesmond station will be closed after 10.30am - use Haymarket instead from this time.
The nearest Metro station to the end of the run is South Shields. Please note Chichester station will be closed from 1.00pm to aid queue management.
BY BUS
The nearest bus stations to the start are Haymarket and Eldon Square. Buses will operate from Bents Park in South Shields until 4.00pm.
BY FERRY
The Shields Ferry will operate between South Shields and North Shields from 7.45am to 6.00pm. Please note that the Shields Ferry is cashless.
Walking Times
ORANGE & PINK WAVES
To Town Moor Runners’ Hub To Assembly Area From Station
Jesmond (From the North only)
GREEN WAVE
To Claremont Rd Runners’ Hub To Assembly Area From Station Newcastle
BY CAR & PARKING
There is no parking at the start of the AJ Bell Great North Run. Please use city centre car parking and be aware that some car parks will be inaccessible due to the road closures in place for the event. Click here to view car parks.
If you need to travel by car, consider parking at a Metro Station (Callerton 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 to the start and from the finish.
Parking will be available at the finish at South Shields on the Leas, and open from 6:15am. After 8:00am on Event Day, the Dragon Car parking will be open, but this has a limited capacity. There is parking in South Shields town centre - however, this is always extremely busy, so expect delays if you choose to park here.
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 WAZE which will detail up-to-date road closure reporting.
TYNE BRIDGE & A1 WORKS
If you are travelling from outside of the North East, please be aware that there are currently traffic restrictions in place on both the Tyne Bridge and the A1. 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.
Orange Wave & Special Numbers
Runners’ Hub
RUNNERS’ HUB 1
Location: Town Moor
Access Runners’ Hub from: 08:00 – 10:00
If travelling by Metro from the north we recommend getting off at West Jesmond or Jesmond stations. From the south we recommend getting off at Monument or Haymarket stations.
Runners can access the Town Moor through Exhibition Park, via. the entrance at Queen Victoria Road roundabout. What3words: span.garage.cake
You do not need to access the site via the city centre. If you are coming to the event from the North East (Jesmond or Gosforth area) you can also access the Town Moor via. Grandstand Road and Great North Road. Please see maps for walking routes.
Grandstand Road - What3words: breath.lanes.hours
Great North Road - What3words: clips.sobs.paint
Last call for assembly: 10:25 Assembly closes: 10:45
If meeting other runners please use the Meeting Points (A or B) in Exhibition Park.
Orange Wave & Special Numbers
Runners’ Hub
Orange Wave & Special Numbers Assembly Access
The Orange Wave comprises of 4 zones (A-D) please check the bottom right hand side on the front of your run number to see what zone you are in.
IMPORTANT - any late arriving participants will be directed to the back of the assembly area where the PINK run numbers are assembled. This area will get busy so don’t leave it until the last minute to access the assembly areas.
Green Wave Runner’s Hub & Assembly Access
RUNNER’S HUB 2
Location: Claremont Road
Access Runners’ Hub from: 09:00
Runners can access Claremont road via Queen Victoria Road roundabout. What3words: vague.drip.cares
You do not need to access the site via the city centre. If you are coming to the event from the West (Fenham or Arthurs hill area) you can also access Claremont Road via. Hunters Moor, following directions for Wallace St. Please see map for walking routes. Wallace Street - What3words: desks.number.laying
There is no access from Grandstand Road or the Town Moor.
If you are in the Green wave and travelling from Gosforth or Jesmond, please make your way to Claremont Road WITHOUT using the Exhibition Park. We would recommend walking towards The Great North Museum (What3words: effort.actors.mouse), using Great North Road footpaths OR using the footbridge from the Town moor, near Hunters Road (What3words: truly.hello.accent).
Last call for assembly: 10:45
Assembly closes: 11:05
Green Wave Runner’s Hub & Assembly Access
Green Wave Runner’s Hub & Assembly Access
The Green Wave comprises of 3 zones (E-G) please check the bottom right hand side on the front of your run number to see what zone you are in.
IMPORTANT - any late arriving participants will be filtered in at the back of the assembly area. This could take some time, so don’t leave it until the last minute to access the assembly areas
Pink Wave Runners’ Hub & Assembly Access
RUNNER’S HUB 1
Location: Town Moor
Access Runners’ Hub from: 10:00
If travelling by Metro from the north we recommend getting off at West Jesmond or Jesmond stations. From the south we recommend getting off at Monument or Haymarket stations.
Runners can access the Town Moor through Exhibition Park, via. the entrance at Queen Victoria Road roundabout. What3words: span.garage.cake
You do not need to access the site via the city centre. If you are coming to the event from the North East (Jesmond or Gosforth area) you can also access the Town Moor via. Grandstand Road and Great North Road. Please see maps for walking routes.
Grandstand Road - What3words: breath.lanes.hours
Great North Road - What3words: clips.sobs.paint
Last call for assembly: 11:05
Assembly closes: 11:30
If meeting other runners please use the Meeting Points (A or B) in Exhibition Park.
Arrive from 10am, so that you spend less time waiting for your wave to start moving. It takes about an hour for the PINK WAVE to get to the start line once the race has started. You will be able to arrive a little bit later, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a better start line experience.
Pink Wave Runners’ Hub & Assembly Access
Pink Wave Runners’ Hub & Assembly Access
The PINK WAVE comprises of 1 zone and is accessed from the rear of the zone, near Grandstand Road fly over. Once in, please move forward to the front of the zone.
IMPORTANT - any late arriving participants will be directed to the back of the Pink assembly area. It may not be possible to start the race if you arrive after the last runner has started.
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.
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.
A run for everyone
All participants should be fit, able and willing to complete the event within 4hrs 10minutes. Any runner who has not reached the 8mile point by 14:45 will be escorted onto the pavement by our last runner support team. You will still be assisted in your journey to the finish, but you must remain on the pavement.
Our amazing team of charity tail walkers will support and encourage you to the finish where our team will be waiting to celebrate your amazing achievement with your well-deserved medal and t-shirt. There is also an option to board one of our welfare buses and be transported to the finish, or board one of our buggies and be transported further into the course, allowing you to complete the remainder of the event within the timescale.
If you plan on walking/jogging the event, please start at the rear of your wave and stay to the left-hand side of the road for the first few miles.
Course Map
Hydration
Aqua Pura water stations will be situated at key points on the route (see course map) to help you stay hydrated.
Whilst you’re running, remember to drink, drain and aim your water bottles into our on-course collection points.
The bottles we use are 100% recycled and recyclable, with a flip cap to ensure it stays with the bottle all the way to the collection point.
Finish Map
Après Run Map
Finishers’ Packs
Finishers’ packs will be sorted by t-shirt size and will include your t-shirt and other treats. Please take the pack that matches the size you chose when you entered the event. Your hard-earned medal will be placed around your neck by our amazing team of volunteers.
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 be 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.
Baggage Collection
Co-op Insurance baggage buses will be there waiting for you at Gypsies Green stadium, which is accessible from the Après Run Zone.
Charity Village
The Charity Village is located at Bents Park playing fields, just beyond the Après Run zone and Gypsies Green Stadium. It’s a great place for fundraisers to connect with their charity but is open to all to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. Be sure to pop over to check out all the charity stands – they’ll be excited to see you!
What3Words: took.gates.pools
Fundraising
If you haven’t already, make sure you set up your official fundraising page on Enthuse, our official fundraising platform. Personalise your page with an image, your story and share to friends and family who can donate to your chosen charity. Now is the perfect time to get started on your fundraising journey or have a last push to raise some money for your chosen cause ahead of the big day.
Click here to start fundraising
Après Run
Continue your post run celebration by stepping into our Après Run Zone. You’re invited to relax, rewind and recharge. We’ve got a DJ truck providing tunes, lots of seating areas and picnic tables, various food suppliers, and a Finishers’ Marquee with Jim and Tonic Bar and live bands, not to forget our GNR Hollywood Sign and a chance to ‘Ring the Bell’ with AJ Bell.
TUI Post-Race Stretch Zone & Massage
Look out for the TUI stretch zone or head over to the TUI BLUE marquee to enjoy a post-race massage.
Meeting Point
Please arrange to meet family and friends at the Meeting Point (see finish map) near Gypsies Green Stadium on the right-hand side as you walk from the finish line. Look for the A-Z banners and stand by the letter that corresponds to the first letter of your surname.
What3Words: divisions.inner.bank.
Missing Persons
A missing persons point is located behind the information point at the finish at South Shields. If you come across a missing person please contact the nearest event steward, official, or police officer.
What3Words: shade.able.wire.
Don’t forget to smile for the official marathon photos photographers on course and at the finish. Why not share your run number with your friends and family to view your photos as soon as they are available. Pre-register for photo notifications. Click here to pre-register.
Official Photos 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, including from our partners AJ Bell, Brooks, Mitchum and Runna. Click here to access Great Run Rewards.
Sustainability
Read about our environmental sustainability initiatives and how you can help
Our vision
To maximise the positive impact of mass participation events, leaving the lightest footprint, and working with our partners and stakeholders to make our events great for people and planet.
Visit our website here for more information.
Recycling
We continue to review our sustainability and recycling practices at all of the Great Run events, and have made a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste from the event. We work with local partners to collect, segregate and recycle as much waste as possible. This isn’t just limited to plastic, and includes cardboard, pallets, medals, unwanted clothing, branding and signage.
Drinks station waste
There will be six Aqua Pura water stations along the route. Please look out for the Drink Drain Aim recycle points after each water station thereafter. There’s no prize for the distance you can throw your water bottle, but by aiming and using these bins, it will improve our recycling, and help speed up collection and re opening the roads.
Clothing Collection
We’ve teamed up with the Great North Air Ambulance who will be collecting any discarded clothing at the start line and selling them on to raise vital funds for the Great North Ambulance Charity. If you turn up in some old unwanted clothing ahead of the run, leave this to the side and the volunteers will pick it up and take it for recycling and raise vital funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Charity.
T-shirt Opt out
We’ve listened to the concerns voiced by you about the impact of producing unnecessary garments. Once again we have partnered with the National Woodlands Appeal in lieu of production and fulfilment costs. Thank you to the the 8% of our entrants who opted out of a finisher T-shirt at registration this year.
Goody Bags
This year, our finisher bags are made from a sustainable non-woven material called polypropylene, which is non-toxic, 100% reusable and recyclable. If you don’t want one of the items inside, why not swap it with a fellow runner or offer it to a friend, family member, or a local food donation point.
Medals
Waiting for you at the finish line are our 95% recycled zinc medals with recycled Pet (rPET) ribbons. Our team of volunteers will be individually handing these out to you once you cross the finish line.
Trophies
For the podium finishers, all presentation trophies at this year’s event are made of bamboo, a fast-growing and highly renewable resource.
Shoe Recycling
Wondering what to do with your worn out trainers? Why not bring them along to the Jog on shoe drops on the Town Moor and Claremont Road information points. Jog on work with a network of partners to distribute these running shoes across multiple hubs in the UK and abroad.
Energy
This year, we’re continuing to make a conscious effort to reduce our use of diesel generators by replacing them with hybrid generators instead. Battery power units are charged using electricity from the UK grid and typically offer a 10% reduction in C02 emissions compared to diesel. Back to Contents
Getting Home
South Shields will be extremely busy and leaving at peak times will inevitably involve long queues whether you travel home by car, bus, Metro or ferry.
We recommend using the Metro where possible. South Shields station is a 15-minute walk from the finish line and all trains from South Shields go to Newcastle city centre. Extra services will be running on the day and trains will be frequent but be prepared to wait in long queues. Ensure you have some warm clothing to wear if needed and stay hydrated.
Note: some Metro stations will be closed or have limited access after the run.
Out top tip is to purchase a Day Rover wristband in advance. This can be used to travel all day across metro, bus, ferry and Northern trains between Newcastle and Sunderland. Find out more here.
There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs in South Shields, and food and drink in the Apres Run zone, if you’d rather wait and head home later in the day.
Have a happy & healthy run
Make sure you are healthy enough to take part in your run. Please talk to your doctor 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, 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.
Event day tips
Make sure you’re comfortable - don’t wear new trainers for the first time on race day. Ideally, run in your shoes for around a month before your Great Run.
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 where you have had chafing during training – e.g., groin, under your arms, the bra band or toes.
Protect your skin - Use weather resistant sun cream, but not too much – you don’t want it running into your eyes as you sweat.
If the first few miles are crowded, don’t tire yourself out dodging in and out of runners. Try to maintain a steady, even pace – it’s the best way to enjoy the event.
When you finish, try to collect your bag as soon as you can. 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 (in the form of glycogen) most efficiently during this post-run window.
Make sure you’re fully hydrated with water or squash before consuming any alcohol.
Avoid dehydrating alcoholic drinks for 24 hours before you run.
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 a 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.
Thank
It’s not too late to join our team!
If
Get
finish
You’re amazing!
Progress is only made possible by the extraordinary efforts of people like you.
Thank you to all our runners - you’re powering research! It’s not too late to join our team and help beat cancer. Sign up today at cruk.org/team
Good luck Team Macmillan!
Great North Run
Good luck to our runners!
Thank you for going the extra mile to support the 1 in 8 men who will get prostate cancer. Your hard work and dedication will help save men’s lives.
Run for the 1 in 8
There’s still time to use your ballot place to run with us! Scan here to join our team or go to: prostatecanceruk org/gnr-pcuk
Thank you Team Stroke
Thank you for raising vital funds to help us support all people affected by stroke.
We believe everyone deserves to live the best life they can after stroke. It’s a team effort to make this possible – we’re so grateful that you’re a part of our team.
We can’t wait to give you the biggest cheer on the day – good luck!
