The Great North Run is the world's largest half marathon, attracting over 60,000 runners each year for a point-to-point course from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields on the North Sea coast. The atmosphere is extraordinary — more than a million spectators line the route, making it one of the most supported races on the planet. Newcastle itself is a vibrant, friendly city with a famous nightlife, proud culture, and a stunning quayside. Whether this is your first half marathon or your fiftieth, the Great North Run delivers an unforgettable experience.
This article contains affiliate links. If you book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Event
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Event | Great North Run 2026 |
| Date | September 13, 2026 |
| Venue | Start: Newcastle city centre (A167 Central Motorway) / Finish: South Shields seafront |
| Address | Start: Claremont Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 |
| Airport | Newcastle Airport (NCL) |
Weather: Mid-September in Newcastle averages 11–17°C (52–63°F). Conditions can vary from warm sunshine to wind and rain — the North East coast is unpredictable. The finish in South Shields is exposed to coastal wind. Prepare for all conditions.
The Venue: Newcastle to South Shields
The Great North Run starts on the A167 Central Motorway in central Newcastle, a dual carriageway that is closed to traffic and packed with runners. The course heads south through Gateshead, crosses the iconic Tyne Bridge, and continues along the coast road to finish on the seafront at South Shields. The finish area has a festival atmosphere with food, entertainment, and family meeting points.
What's nearby (start area — Newcastle):
- Newcastle Quayside — the redeveloped riverfront along the Tyne, with restaurants, bars, and views of the city's seven bridges
- The Sage Gateshead — a striking glass-and-steel music venue on the south bank of the Tyne, designed by Norman Foster
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art — a major contemporary art gallery in a converted flour mill on the Gateshead bank
- Grey Street — regularly voted one of England's finest streets, a sweeping curve of Georgian architecture in the city centre
Important: This is a point-to-point race. You start in Newcastle and finish 13.1 miles away in South Shields. Free shuttle buses run from the finish back to Newcastle, but queues can be long. Plan your post-race logistics carefully and arrange a meeting point with supporters.
Where to Stay
The best area for runners is Newcastle city centre, close to the start line and with the best transport links. The Quayside area is also excellent — scenic and close to restaurants. Some runners stay in Gateshead or South Shields, but Newcastle is more practical for the start.
Malmaison Newcastle — Best Location
A stylish boutique hotel on the Newcastle Quayside, in a converted riverside warehouse. Walking distance to the start line, surrounded by restaurants, and perfectly placed for enjoying the city. The brasserie serves a good pre-race dinner.
Maldron Hotel Newcastle — Runner Favourite
A modern hotel right in the city centre on Newgate Street, a 10-minute walk from the start area. Well-priced rooms, a fitness centre, and an early breakfast service on race morning. Consistently popular with Great North Run participants.
Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre (The Gate) — Best Budget
A reliable, affordable option in the city centre at The Gate entertainment complex. No frills, but clean rooms, consistent quality, and a location that means you can walk to the start line. Book months in advance — Newcastle sells out on GNR weekend.
Getting There
From Newcastle Airport (NCL)
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro (Tyne & Wear Metro) | ~25 min | £3.80 | Direct from Airport station to Monument or Central Station; runs every 12 min |
| Taxi | ~15 min | £15–20 | Taxi rank outside the terminal; fixed fares available to city centre |
| Bus 10/10A | ~35 min | £2.50 | Cheaper but slower; runs to Eldon Square via key stops |
Public Transport
The Tyne & Wear Metro is Newcastle's light rail system, connecting the city centre, the coast (including South Shields), and the airport. Buses supplement the network.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Single metro ride (all zones) | £3.80 |
| Day pass (all zones) | £5.80 |
| Weekly pass (all zones) | £22.00 |
Where to Eat
Newcastle Quayside — The riverfront strip has some of the city's best restaurants, from steak houses and Italian trattorias to modern British dining. Lively on weekend evenings with a good pre-race atmosphere.
Grainger Market — A beautiful Victorian covered market in the city centre with food stalls, bakeries, and the famous Marks & Spencer penny bazaar. Good for cheap, cheerful lunches and picking up snacks.
Newcastle Food to Try
- Stottie cake — a large, flat bread roll unique to the North East, filled with ham and pease pudding or other fillings
- Pease pudding — a thick, savoury paste made from split peas, traditionally served with ham in a stottie
- Fish and chips — the North East coast does some of the best in England; Riley's at South Shields is a GNR tradition
- Pan haggerty — a baked dish of sliced potatoes, onions, and cheese; hearty Northumbrian comfort food
- Newcastle Brown Ale — the city's iconic beer; post-race only, of course
Budget eating: Grainger Market and the Bigg Market area have plenty of affordable options. Greggs (the bakery chain) was founded in Newcastle — grab a sausage roll for under £2. A pub lunch with a pint in the city centre costs £10–15.
Essential Newcastle Tips
Currency. British Pound (£). The UK does not use the euro.
Cash vs card. Contactless card payments are almost universal in Newcastle — shops, transport, pubs, and restaurants. You can comfortably go cashless, though a few market stalls may prefer cash.
Tipping. 10–12.5% at sit-down restaurants is standard. Check if service charge is included. No need to tip at pubs, coffee shops, or for takeaway.
Language. English, with the distinctive Geordie accent and dialect. "Howay" means "come on," and you will hear it a lot on race day. Locals are famously friendly and approachable.
Weather in September. Average highs of 15–17°C (59–63°F), lows of 9–11°C (48–52°F). Variable conditions — sunshine, cloud, wind, and rain are all possible in a single day. The coastal finish at South Shields can be windy.
Safety. Newcastle is a safe, welcoming city. Standard precautions apply on weekend nights in the city centre when the nightlife is busy.
What to See
- Tyne Bridge — Newcastle's most iconic landmark, an arch bridge spanning the River Tyne; you will run across it during the race
- Angel of the North — Antony Gormley's famous 20-metre steel sculpture, located just off the A1 south of Gateshead; visible from the train
- Newcastle Castle Keep — the medieval castle that gave the city its name, with panoramic views from the rooftop
- BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art — a world-class contemporary art gallery on the Gateshead quayside, free to enter
- Tynemouth Priory & Castle — a dramatic headland ruin overlooking the North Sea, 15 minutes by metro from the city centre
- Jesmond Dene — a peaceful wooded valley and park in the suburbs, perfect for a gentle post-race walk or shakeout jog
Quick Reference
| Need | Answer |
|---|---|
| Airport | Newcastle Airport (NCL), ~10 km northwest of city centre |
| Venue | Start: Newcastle A167 / Finish: South Shields seafront |
| Nearest station | Central Station or Monument Metro (for start) |
| Transport to venue | Walk from city centre; Metro to South Shields for finish area |
| Currency | British Pound (£) |
| Cash needed? | No — contactless widely accepted everywhere |
| Language | English (Geordie dialect) |
| Weather | 11–17°C (52–63°F), variable; coastal wind at finish |
| Tipping | 10–12.5% at restaurants; check for service charge |
| Emergency | 999 (UK) or 112 |
This guide will be updated as more event details are confirmed. Last updated: May 2026.