A Newcastle-to-South-Shields half marathon with huge crowds, rolling roads and a seafront finish. The bridge is the famous photograph; managing the later miles is the real job.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
The late approach to the coast
Do not spend everything getting to the Tyne Bridge. The course still asks you to work through South Tyneside before the drop towards the sea and the final seafront stretch.
The course, section by section
Open a section for the terrain and a practical pacing cue.
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Opening sectionCentral Motorway · Tyne Bridge
The official description includes early descending sections.
How to approach it Allow the field to stretch and keep the opening effort calm. The bridge is an early highlight, not evidence that the whole course will feel easy. Save concentration by holding a predictable line rather than searching constantly for a slightly faster gap through the crowd.
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Miles 3–5Gateshead · Gateshead International Stadium
The official route description identifies a gradual climb.
How to approach it Let the pace slow with the climb while keeping your breathing under control. Shorten the stride a little and avoid chasing a runner whose goal may be different. A sensible split on this section is one that leaves you ready for the rest of the course, not a flat-course number.
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Towards mile 8Gateshead to South Tyneside
The organiser describes downhill running after the earlier climb.
How to approach it Let speed return without lengthening your stride dramatically or braking on each landing. Use the easier-feeling stretch to keep your fuel routine going and relax any tension. Do not treat the descent as a chance to recover every second lost uphill in one burst.
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Miles 8–12South Tyneside · Approach to the coast
The organiser identifies this as a tougher uphill part.
How to approach it Reduce the task to one calm effort you can sustain until the road changes. Keep hands loose and breathing steady. If your time target needs adjusting, do that without turning the next mile into an argument with the watch; the coast still needs you to keep moving.
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Final sectionNorth Sea viewpoint · South Shields seafront
Late descent followed by the finish stretch.
How to approach it Enjoy the view without attacking the downhill so hard that you lose control of your stride. Once on the seafront, judge the remaining distance from signs rather than the first sight of crowds. Keep moving through the finish to reach baggage and your agreed meeting place.
Official maps & course details
- Tyne crossing and middle
- The advertised route crosses Tyne Bridge and passes Gateshead International Stadium; a climb around miles 3–5 leads into descending running towards mile 8.
- Later profile
- The organiser describes sustained climbing around miles 8–12, the North Sea view near mile 12, a descent and a final seafront stretch.
The following course details are from the edition shown. They help you understand the route while your edition’s final information is being prepared.
- Map reference
- The 2025 course map includes an elevation profile and drinks, toilet, shower and medical symbols.2025
The linked 2025 route is a planning reference. The 2027 course and race-day arrangements may change.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
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Let the Central Motorway start and bridge crossing come to you; do not chase gaps.
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Break the middle into the next mile or drink station instead of thinking about the whole distance.
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When the sea appears, reset for the remaining seafront running: seeing the finish district is not the finish.
A PB or time goal
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Accept slower uphill splits and keep the downhill running controlled.
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Make your time assessment over several miles, allowing for crowds and gradients.
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Save a change of gear for the seafront rather than trying to win back time on the approach.
If the weather or your pace changes
The late seafront can feel different from sheltered Newcastle, so avoid choosing kit or pace from the start area alone. If it is warm, start below the effort you would use in cooler conditions. If rain is forecast, protect the clothes in your baggage bus bag because you will want them after stopping by the coast. Run the final descent with care if the surface is wet, and allow extra time for crowded onward transport rather than planning a connection that depends on everything going perfectly.
A little race history
The Great North Run began in 1981. Its Newcastle-to-South-Shields journey is why planning the separate start and finish is part of the event experience.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
Station positions and products are not yet confirmed in the available information for this edition. Use the organiser’s final runner guide before deciding what you can collect on the course.
Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
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Race number
Race numbers
Race numbers include timing chips and are posted from around four weeks before the run. Replacement numbers are available at event information points with ID.
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Before your wave
Baggage
The organiser describes buses in the allocated Runners Hub carrying labelled bags to South Shields; race number is needed for collection.
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The start
Start time
Advertised start time: 10:50 from Newcastle’s Central Motorway.
Start & finish access
- Start and finish
- FAQ places the start on A167 near Claremont Road and the finish on South Shields seafront.
Pacers & course cut-offs
- Sweep
- 17-minute/mile sweep; runners passed continue on pavements (Great Run’s general policy).
Kit rules & accessibility
- Headphones
- Allowed at low volume (Great Run’s general policy).
- Wave changes
- The FAQ allows a slower wave, but not a faster one; allocated colour controls access and assembly.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
The reference spectator guide restricts viewing on the Tyne Bridge. Choose an approved point elsewhere and plan the separate journey to South Shields; do not assume you can follow by car or board the first Metro back.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Gateshead after the Tyne crossing
An early cheer without relying on access to the crowded bridge itself.
South Shields seafront
A late lift before the finish. Allow for the long departure queues described by the organiser.
2027 event page; course subject to change
Official spectator or route information
Make the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
Getting there and getting home
- Post-race transport
- The organiser warns of long transport queues and recommends planning the South Shields departure; station access restrictions require the final guide.
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
September ballot has closed. A second ballot is planned for January 2027; reminder sign-up and charity places are offered. The January ballot dates have yet to be announced.
- Ballot stages
- The September 2026 ballot for 2027 closed at midnight on 20 September; another ballot is planned for January 2027.
- Membership
- New 2027–2028 memberships are sold out; existing members follow their membership instructions.
- Support runner
- Free support-runner places may be requested; verification and capacity limits apply.Organiser policy
- Wheelchair registration
- Declare wheelchair type; assisted entrant and support runner must both register.Organiser policy
Transfers, refunds & deferrals
- GNR withdrawal policy
- Withdrawal can provide an opportunity to buy a guaranteed place the following year. Medical refunds require certification and a request at least 10 weeks before race day.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Practise rolling long runs and a controlled finish after a climb. Rehearse the food you will carry rather than relying on crowd handouts.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Make race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Understand your everyday fuel
Learn how carbohydrate supports your running and recovery.
A plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.