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. Fancy dress on show

    Robin Davies
    North East & Cumbria

    It’s the calm before the storm.

    Runnin' by Beyoncé is blaring from the speakers.

    People in athletic wear and fancy dress walking in both directions up Claremont Rd to find their start point.

    The coffee kiosk is doing a roaring trade for those needing a last minute caffeine hit..

    Three women dressed in inflatable brown horse outfits. There are round openings in the neck where you can see their faces. They are carrying collecting buckets and have their race numbers on the front

  2. Things to look out for

    There are a few things which runners always talk about as highlights of the run:

    • Getting to the start and seeing the size of it. Both carriageways of Newcastle's Central Motorway will be a sea of runners
    • The Red Arrows. There will be a flypast over the start around the time the gun goes at 10:50. Then later they will fly over the finish line in South Shields
    • Running over the Tyne Bridge. Crossing the landmark structure always feels like a special moment. Work to restore the bridge is still under way which means it has scaffolding at the sides
    • A short time after runners have crossed the bridge they will come to a roundabout in Gateshead where the flyover used to be. Most of it has now been dismantled which means where runners used to run underneath the flyover, now it is uncovered
    • One of the loveliest things about the run is the support of the crowds. They will be lining the route handing out things like sweets to help keep runners' energy levels high and shouting words of encourgament
    • When you get to South Shields and see the North Sea is a lovely moment. A short sharp descent and then you turn left towards the finish line - just remember it's quite a long finish straight although there are loads of crowds to keep you going
    A close-up of seven Red Arrows jets flying in formation. The jest are red with patches of white on the bottom of the jet and on the tail fin. They are letting out plumes of smoke with each jet letting out either a trail of red, white or blue smokePA Media

  3. Great North Run being held for 45th time

    Prepare for an explosion of colour and pounding feet as tens of thousands of runners take part in the Great North Run.

    It is the 45th time the famous half marathon has been held with runners taking on the route which starts in Newcastle and finishes in South Shields. More than 63,00 people have entered.

    Stick with us as we bring you the sights and sounds of the event which is a highlight of the Geordie calendar.

    We'll bring you the stories of some of those taking part and plenty of photos so you can get a feel for what makes it such a well-loved event.

  4. The calm before the storm...

    A view of Newcastle Central Motorway from earlier this morning.

    Quite a different scene from how it will look soon when everyone starts streaming in and filling up the starting pens.

    What is usually one of the busiest roads in Newcastle has been closed since last night with teams working through the night to get the start line ready.

    Feeling excited yet?

    The Central Motorway in Newcastle prepared for the start of the Great North Run. Both carriageways are empty except for two cars at the side. In the distance is the hoardings across the start line which is a red block in the middle of two turquoise blocks. There are different coloured advertising hoardings on either side of the road