The Great North Run
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The Great North Run is the world’s most popular half marathon road running event. Participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields. The run was devised by former Olympic 10,000 m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster.
This year’s race is on 19th September and around 50,000 people are expected to line up in Newcastle for the 13.1 mile run to South Shields.
There will be drinks at the start and finish and at six stations along the route and there will be at least 21 first aid posts along the course as well as mobile medical units and if you need medical attention at the end of the race staff will be there to help.
If you have any medical conditions, you should fill in the details on the back of your race number.
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Great North Run Start Times:
10:10 BST British Wheelchair Racing Association race start
10:15 BST Elite women’s race start
10:40 BST Elite men’s race and Bupa Great North Run start
The Start Area:
There are a series of assembly zones at the start and runners should go to the zone which matches the colour and letter on their race number.
Numbers have been allocated to fit in with runners’ predicted finish times. There will be stewards at the entrance to each zone and you will be asked to show your race number to get in.
Remember the assembly area is 1km long so allow plenty of time to get to your zone – they close at 1030BST after which you must go to the back.
Many people take an old T-shirt or bin bag to wear so they don’t get cold while they are waiting for the start, which they then throw away.
Make sure you throw anything to the side out of the way of other runners. Discarded clothes are collected by a clothing charity.
The Finish Area:
There is a funnel system at the end and marshals will direct you down one of four lanes.
You will be given a souvenir goody bag at the end
It doesn’t matter which one you go down because your chip will mean your time and finishing position will be automatically worked out.
Once you have crossed the line, keep moving on to the chip return area and to pick up your water and race souvenirs.
Car Parking / Arriving / Leaving:
Arriving:
Many roads around the route are closed and no event parking is available at the start so plan your journey in advance to cut down on any stress on the day and ensure you’re there in plenty of time.
Extra Metro trains will run throughout the day and the Shields Ferry will operate extra crossings too. It’s advisable to buy your ticket in advance – call 0191 2020 555 for more information.
Special additional buses will also be running on the day between several points. Services from Bents Park Road in South Shields to Newcastle Haymarket bus station start at 0600BST for those leaving their car at the finish.
For further details on local travel information call Traveline North East on 0871 200 2233
Leaving:
There will be extra services on the Metro and Shields Ferry. Queues are expected for both services so allow plenty of extra time and you are advised to buy tickets in advance.
The finish area at South Shields gets very busy
If you are driving and plan to leave early, the advice is to use the town centre car parks and shuttle buses from the finish area.
There will be a rolling programme of roads being reopened as the afternoon goes on.
There will also be plenty of buses running from Bents Park Road, along from the finish area.
Keep on running!
You can be a part of the 30th Bupa Great North Run by running for Disability Sport Events (DSE). The 19 September 2010 marks the date when 54,000 runners will pound the streets of Newcastle and Gateshead, raising in excess of £8 million for charity.
Disability Sport Events have secured 20 places this year for the Bupa Great North Run, and we are looking for you to fill them. To take up a place you will need to pay a £40 entrance fee and commit to raising £300 in sponsorship, but do not fear as our dedicated fundraising team will be on hand along the way to provide advice and support as well as cheering you on at the event.
As a charity DSE relies on fundraising and sponsorship for our programmes to exist. With your help, we could make an even bigger difference to thousands of disabled peoples’ lives.
Liz Neale a dedicated fundraiser and volunteer from Gateshead is taking part in the 2010 Bupa Great North Run for DSE, “I am extremely excited to be a part of such a large event, and know it will be worth all the blisters when I cross the line!’
If you are interested in running for DSE, please contact Lucy Lloyd-Ruck on 0161 9532430 – and be a part of this iconic event.