Summary

  • More than 63,000 entered the run including the Prime Minister Andy Burnham

  • It was the 45th time the half marathon was held

  • Runners started in Newcastle before running over the Tyne Bridge and finishing in South Shields

Live Reporting

Edited by Julie Cush

  1. Supporters with signs encouraging runners

    Eve Connor
    North East & Cumbria

    With the elite athletes on to the next stage of the run, the thousands of others runners are now crossing the Tyne Bridge.

    Words of support and encouragement fill the air.

    Lucy Foster, 39, from Blaydon, is here with her two children, supporting her husband Andrew who is running for the Newcastle United Foundation.

    He decided to run this year's GNR as a challenge before his 40th birthday next weekend.

    Lucy says they are all excited and looking forward to seeing him.

    Lucy Foster with her two children, supporting her husband Andrew. they are with a sign saying Go Dad Go

  2. Red Arrows fly over the start and the finish of the route

    Jim Scott
    BBC North East & Cumbria

    There was a roar, everybody looked up and there they were. The Red Arrows have just done a fly past over the finish line in South Shields.

    The finish line is already packed with hundreds of people who have been here since early morning.

    Thousands of people line the streets of the North East each year to see the runners make their way past.

    Red Arrows flying over the finish line at South Shields

  3. Runners taking part for many different reasons

    Kelly Scott
    BBC Radio Newcastle

    People take part for all kind of different reasons - here is a snapshot of some of them before they set off.

    Runners dressed as nuns wearing black and white habits
    Runners dressed as Woody and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story
    Fundraiser Big Pink Dress
    Fundraisers dressed as ovaries
    A blind runner and a guide

  4. 'The atmosphere's fantastic,' ex-Sunderland boss says

    Pamela Tickell
    BBC News, North East and Cumbria

    Another runner on his way is ex-Sunderland boss Peter Reid, who is taking part for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

    Reid was inspired to fundraise following his daughter's cervical cancer diagnosis, and the death of North East hero and former England captain Kevin Keegan.

    “The atmosphere’s fantastic," he said at the start line.

    Reid added the charity did wonderful work including raising funds to build a £30m cancer-fighting institute.

    “I’m just humbled that I’ve been allowed to do this - at 70 years of age, brilliant."

    Peter Reid has his thumbs up and is smiling at the camera. He is wearing a white shirt and a red racing number. He is in front of a red arch.NNP

  5. David Weir wins men's wheelchair race
    Breaking

    Briton David Weir has won the men's elite wheelchair race in just over 43 minutes

    David Weir wins men's wheelchair race

  6. Amazing atmosphere near the Tyne Bridge

    Eve Connor
    North East & Cumbria

    The atmosphere here at the Tyne Bridge is buzzing as the first of many footsteps begin to pound over it.

    Friends, families and loved ones have turned out in force to encourage this year's runners.

    There are hundreds of signs and posters lining the bridge, with positive messages to encourage runners to push on.

    Runners on the Gateshead side of the Tyne Bridge

  7. Dan Burn says he would love to run

    Robin Davies
    North East & Cumbria

    Newcastle United star Dan Burn is this year's race starter and says he can "feel the energy and excitement".

    His dad is doing it for the "eighth or ninth time".

    He hasn't done it himself, but having seen the atmosphere he says he will.

    "I will do it at some point, I am sure," he says.

    "It's not something that has been on my bucket list to be honest, but now that I have come here and seen what it's about, I would love to do it."

    Dan Burn at the start of the Great North Run. He is wearing a white Adidas shirt with the blue lines on the sleeve. He stands next to a red start bell with the words Ring my Bell and AJ Bell in white lettersNorth News and Pictures

  8. 'Go out, enjoy yourselves and soak up the atmosphere'

    Pamela Tickell
    BBC News, North East and Cumbria

    Among those running is Shildon dad David Beadle, who is returning to the half marathon after losing his "running spirit" when his teenage children took their own lives separately, within the space of a year.

    He is among a team of 40 raising funds for Quinn's Retreat, which offers a free break in static caravans for people who have been similarly bereaved.

    "If people see our runners I'd ask them to give us a big cheer just like they give to all the runners out there," David said.

    He asked Quinn's Retreat runners to "go out, enjoy yourselves along the way and soak up the atmosphere along the route as it's the supporters that make the day as great as it is".

    The charity offered any runners for suicide prevention charity Papyrus to join them in their tent for refreshments at the end after the organisation went into administration earlier this week.

    David Beadle runs around a track on a field. He is wearing black, red and yellow sports gear, with a white bib reading 51. He wears glasses and has short brown hair.Supplied

  9. And they're off
    Breaking

    Here we go - Newcastle United player Dan Burn has fired the start gun and the elite men and main field are off.

    What a sight it is as tens of thousands of runner start pouring down Newcastle's Central Motorway.

  10. Elite wheelchair athletes and women cross Tyne Bridge

    Eve Connor
    North East & Cumbria

    The first of the elite wheelchair and female athletes have crossed the Tyne Bridge.

    Hundreds cheer them on from the sidelines, signs raised and words of encouragement can be heard being shouted from both sides of the bridge.

    These are the first of thousands who will cross this iconic landmark today.

  11. Start line now packed with runners

    Kelly Scott
    BBC Radio Newcastle

    Remember that picture we posted first thing this morning - things are looking very different now as thousands of runners have arrived.

    Here is the view from the bridge which runs between Claremont Road and the Town Moor - absolutely packed with runners.

    Runners at the start of the Great North Run

  12. Watch and listen live

    You can watch live coverage of the run on BBC One and on the BBC iPlayer or by clicking on the link at the top of the page.

    BBC Newcastle presenter Kelly Scott is also broadcasting from the start line and you can listen here on BBC Sounds.

  13. 'The North East doesn't always get the attention it deserves'

    Andy Burnham has done the Great North Run before he became prime minister and says it is "the warmth, the atmosphere" he enjoys about it.

    He adds: "It's something about the city, the people, the warmth, the humour, it's just a lovely event."

    He praises run founder Brendan Foster for the "amazing event".

    "The North East doesn't always get the attention it deserves, but this event is the best of British - the Red Arrows, everything," he says.

    "And it's good for the North East to get the spotlight and it's good for the whole country to have its eyes on this wonderful part of the world today."

    Andy Burnham being interviewed on the start line of the Great North Run

  14. Burst water main in Gateshead disrupts traffic

    Pamela Tickell
    BBC News, North East and Cumbria

    There are even more road closures than planned as a water main has flooded the roundabout near the A189 Redheugh Bridge.

    Parts of the A184 in Gateshead are blocked with diversions in place.

    Northumbrian Water says there is a "considerable amount" of flooding on the road. The running route is unaffected.

    Brown water covers a roundabout, so much so that the 40mph speed limit signs are half submerged. There is a bridge overhead and grass in the foreground. There also blue and white police tape in the foreground.Supplied
    The brown flood water goes halfway along the road around roundabout. The central grassy area has tall trees on it. There is a police car on the left and another car being taken away on a truck.Supplied

  15. Increase in number of young runners

    More young people are taking part in the Great North Run than ever before, according to the event's organisers.

    Data from the Great Run Company shows the proportion of runners aged 25 and under has significantly increased over the past five years, with more than 15% of entrants now falling into that age group up from 8.7% in 2021.

    Brendan Foster has white hair and is wearing a blue and white striped shirt with a black microphone fastened to the front. In the background is the Tyne Bridge and some trees which are out of focus

    Run founder Brendan Foster said: "It was becoming a little bit of an older demographic and suddenly in the course of the last five years the amount of youngsters running, under 25, has gone to about 15% from about 7 or 8%, so that's doubled.

    "And if you look around you can kind of see why - there are lots of running clubs happening now, it's a cool thing to do, it's where they meet friends, it's where they socialise."

    The average age is 39.6 with the youngest runner 17 and the oldest 89.

    More young people taking part in Great North Run, organisers say

  16. Prime Minister is running today
    Breaking

    Here's the Prime Minister on the start line - wearing the Number 10 of course.

    Andy Burnham is a keen runner and is the first serving PM to take part in the run's history, organisers say.

    He is photographed with the race founder Brendan Foster.

    Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the start line of the Great North Run. He has his arms outstretched and is wearing a pink and purple T-shirt with Changing Lives in whiteNorth News and Pictures
    Great North Run founder Brendan Foster wearing a blue jumper with a white shirt underneath. He has his arm above his head and is holding hands with Andy Burnham who is wearing pink and purple T-shirt with Changing Lives written on itNorth News and Pictures

  17. Timetable for today

    Here is the timetable for today:

    10:00 BBC coverage starts on BBC One and the iPlayer

    10.20 Elite wheelchair athletes start

    10:25 Elite women start

    10:27 Visually impaired participants start

    10.50 Elite men and main race starts

    10:52 Red Arrows fly over the Tyne Bridge

  18. View from the finish line

    Callum Rowe
    North East & Cumbria

    This is the medal each of the runners will receive when they cross the finish line here in South Shields. It has been designed by Newcastle street artist Mul.

    The sun is warm but the wind is cool down here at the finish line. The running conditions are ideal.

    A Great North Run medal being balanced on the fingers if a hand. The ribbon is red and the medal is round with a stylised design of the Tyne Bridge and two running heart characters at either side
    The finish line of the Great North Run at South Shields, There is a red hoarding across the finish line and then hoardings on the ground directing runners into funnels

  19. How are the elite races shaping up?

    British runner Eilish McColgan will be hoping to claim her first Great North Run win.

    But she will have tough competition with reigning champion, Kenya’s Sheila Chepkirui, taking part again alongside previous winner Brigid Kosgei, who is also from Kenya.

    Also returning is last year's men's champion, Kenyan Alex Mutiso (both 2025 champions are pictured below).

    Sheila Chepkirui and Alex Mutiso stand together on a balcony surrounded by blue railings with Newcastle City Centre below them. Sheila has dark hair which is in braids and Alex has short-cropped hair. They are both wearing dark purple tops with light purple sections along the arms and the three lines of the Adidas logo in fluorescent yellowNorth News

  20. The famous faces taking part

    There will be a sprinkling of famous faces among the tens of thousands of runners making their way from Newcastle to South Shields.

    • From the world of sport, former footballers and managers Chris Kamara and Peter Reid and paralympian Richard Whitehead MBE
    • Season four of BBC TV series The Traitors is well-represented with Rachel Duffy, Sam Little, Amanda Collier and Reece Ward all putting on their running vests
    • Presenters Ben Shepherd, Helen Skelton, Sophie Rayworth and Adele Roberts
    • From the world of entertainment, singer Joe McElderry, singer and TV personality Jake Quickenden, fitness coach Joe Wicks, and actors Neil Grainger and Harriett Bibby
    A composite image of Chris Kamara on the left wearing a black baseball cap, a black waterproof jacket and a black T-shirt with the words March for Men partially obscured. He is holding a black microphone in his right hand and is looking at someone who is out of the shot. On the right is Peter Reid who has white hair and is wearing a white T-shirt with the words The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation partially obscuredPA Media
    A composite image showing Rachel Duffy on the left. She has tied back fark hair with a middle parting and is wearing a light brown short-sleeved dress with a collar and white buttons. She is against a railing with her right arm resting along it. On the right hand side is Sam Little who has dark hair and is wearing a blue jumper with a white T-shirt underneath it