My marathons

Great North Run

10:5010:50 AM Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne Bridge
Tyne Bridge. Photograph by PangolinOne, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The course

The half marathon runs from Newcastle city centre over the Tyne Bridge and through Gateshead to a finish on the seafront at South Shields.

The course in short 3 lines
  • From the Central Motorway to the South Shields seafrontA point-to-point half marathon: Newcastle to the coast at South Shields.
  • Miles 8 to 12 are the climbThe long uphill from mile 8 to mile 12 is the part many runners find hardest.
  • The first sight of the North Sea at mile 12The climb ends in view of the sea, then the road runs downhill to the finish.
Course notes 3 short reads on the course
Whole courseGeometryFrom the Central Motorway to the South Shields seafrontA point-to-point half marathon: Newcastle to the coast at South Shields.

The start is on the Central Motorway in Newcastle city centre, and the course crosses the Tyne Bridge before heading into Gateshead. The organiser describes the first half as largely long, straight roads, passing Gateshead International Stadium. The run ends along the seafront at South Shields, after a final mile-long stretch beside the sea.

Sourced

Whole courseGradientMiles 8 to 12 are the climbThe long uphill from mile 8 to mile 12 is the part many runners find hardest.

The organiser describes a gradual climb between miles 3 and 5, then some downhill running to mile 8. From mile 8 to mile 12 the road climbs for four miles, which the organiser says many runners consider the toughest part of the race. It adds that strong crowd support helps carry runners through.

Sourced

Whole courseFinishThe first sight of the North Sea at mile 12The climb ends in view of the sea, then the road runs downhill to the finish.

At mile 12 the course reaches its first view of the North Sea, and from there it drops downhill towards South Shields. The organiser lists miles 12 to 13.1 among the mainly downhill sections. The finish is along the seafront, where runners collect their medal.

Sourced

Race fuel

Energy gel
An energy gel sachet
Illustration · drag to turn

2 gels for Newcastle upon Tyne, plus 1 spare

Finish

One every 40 minutes, by the clock:

  1. km 7.3mile 4.6
  2. km 14.7mile 9.1

Our pick: SiS BETA Fuel gel, box of 6, strawberry and lime. 40 g of carbohydrate a gel, about twice a usual gel, from two kinds of sugar your body takes up side by side.

Easy to forget on race morning: pack them with your bib the night before.

Get it on Amazon

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In Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Salted Caramel, 24-pack, the best seller there.

Outside the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the UK and Ireland, Spain and Portugal, Italy, the rest of the EU and Canada the button opens GU Energy Gel, Chocolate Outrage, 24-pack on Amazon.com, the best seller there.

Anti-chafe
Compeed Anti-blister stick
Photo: Compeed

Compeed

Compeed anti-blister stick, 8 ml

Best selling on Amazon amazon.nl, read 2 Nov

An invisible layer before the start keeps seams, straps and shoes from rubbing skin raw.

Put it on before you leave for the start: heels and toes, inner thighs, under a bra or heart-rate strap.

Try it on a long run first, like everything you use on race day.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Number belt
A race number belt
Illustration · drag to turn

Compressport Race Belt

Holds your bib without safety pins through your top, with loops for up to 8 gels.

Clip the bib on the night before, so it goes on with your shorts in the morning.

Keep the number on the front, where officials and photographers can see it.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Electrolytes
A tube of electrolyte tablets
Illustration · drag to turn

SiS Hydro electrolyte tablets, tube of 20

One tablet in a bottle puts back some of the salt you sweat out.

One tablet in 500 ml of water in the hour before the start.

Only if you have used them in training: nothing new on race day.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.

Blister plasters
Compeed Blister plasters, medium, 6
Photo: Compeed

Compeed

Compeed blister plasters, medium, 6

Best selling on Amazon amazon.nl, read 2 Nov

One in a pocket cushions a blister if one starts.

Put it on clean, dry skin and leave it until it comes off by itself.

Give a couple to whoever comes to cheer, so they are there at the km you need them.

Get it on Amazon

We earn a small fee if you buy through these links. The price is the same.
distance
21.1 km13.1 mi

Race week

Timetable

Sunday 12 September Race day

  1. 10:5010:50 AM

    Half marathon start Start time as published on the organiser's 2027 event page, with the date 12 September 2027. The start is on the Central Motorway in Newcastle.

Times as published by the organiser, in Newcastle upon Tyne time, checked .

Add to calendar .ics file, times in Newcastle upon Tyne time

Trip

Getting a place

Entry through the organiser

Entry details on the organiser’s site →

The organiser, a third party. We take no entries and have no part in the race.

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