AJ Bell Great North Run – Newcastle to South Shields
The world’s biggest half marathon returns for another year, with 63,000 runners taking on the iconic route from Newcastle city centre to South Shields.
If you’re not running yourself, it’s still one of the best days of the year to be out on the streets, with a warm North East welcome and unbeatable crowd support lining every mile.
The route starts on Newcastle’s Central Motorway, crossing the Tyne Bridge into Gateshead before passing Gateshead International Stadium. There’s a gradual climb between miles 3 and 5, downhill running to mile 8, then a sustained uphill stretch between miles 8 and 12 that’s widely considered the toughest part of the race, exactly where strong crowd support matters most.
Runners get their first glimpse of the North Sea at mile 12, before dropping downhill towards the seafront finish at South Shields, where the atmosphere is famously unmatched. Road closures are in place across the route and surrounding areas, worth checking the full list before planning your day.
