The familiar buzz has been building as preparations gathered pace for the Great North Run which is all set for its big return this September. After the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, there was uncertainty about whether the event would go ahead, but it has been confirmed that the Sunday main race will happen as planned, albeit with a more subdued approach.
Even those who didn't already have the date - September 11 - in the diary couldn't fail to realise the world's biggest half-marathon is almost upon us due to the sight of runners furiously pounding the pavement around the region as they up their training programme ahead of the event. As Newcastle gears up for the start of the sporting event of the year, similar scenes will be playing out in all parts of the country - and beyond - as tens of thousands of people prepare for the big day.
Around 60,000 of the will be homing in on the city for what will be the 41st Great North Run and on top of that will be a flood of supporters and spectators too. And the welcome news for many is that 2022 sees a return to its traditional route, which means that South Shields is back in on the event, too.
Read more: Go here for Great North Run route updates and news
When the Great North Run made its return last year, following its cancellation due to the pandemic in 2020, one-off changes were made to the usual 13.1-mile course with the aim of ensuring its delayed 40-year anniversary event was as Covid-19 safe as possible. That meant social distancing measures focusing the run in the city centre, with a round loop over the Tyne Bridge into Gateshead, in a bid to minimise transport needs and pressures.
We're bringing runners a reminder of the route, as well as other information they need to know, in the new version of our annual question-and-answer guide below which can act as a go-to manual as they ramp up their training schedules and busy themselves raising sponsorship for an event which is such a vital money-spinner for local charities. In the countdown to the day, we'll be adding all the necessary updates on road closures as they're announced and what the latest weather forecast is for both the start and finish of the run.
There is plenty information to help those who are planning just to go along to watch too. Here are some tips about where to go, how to get there and the best places to catch the action.
What is the Great North Run route for 2022?
It's back to normal this year and we can expect too the return of the traditional mass start. The run started and finished in Newcastle last year but this September, after getting under way in the city centre as always, it will cross the Tyne Bridge and from Gateshead will head towards South Shields and the traditional finish line at the coast.
Where does the Great North Run start?
The race will start as it has in previous years, on Newcastle's A167 central motorway, with runners lining up on they close to both the Town Moor and Exhibition Park. The road, obviously, will be shut to traffic in the lead up to the run.
Keep an eye out here for which famous names will be starting the race. Last year runner were allocated specific timeslots, with the last group of runners setting off several hours after the first to help with social distancing during both the run and while travelling
This year, runners will have a specific wave colour and start time - with orange and white numbers, then green numbers, able to access the assembly areas early, from 8am - but won't need to visit the information point to register on the day.
They just attach their unique run number, which has a timing chip attached, to their running top with a safety pin. They will need to be in place on time or as arriving too late may mean they are not be able to race at all. For more information, we'll be adding a start time guide here ahead of the day.
Once you're in Newcastle, it's recommended that you use one of the city centre car parks and then walk to the Great North Run start line on the central motorway. The nearest Metro Station is Haymarket.
What time does the Great North Run start?
The mass warm-up will be at 10.33am. Then, with a countdown, the Great North Run 2022 starting time for the elite men and public runners will be 10.45am on Sunday, September 11.
Ahead of this, the atmosphere will be building with plenty pre-race entertainment for participants which will include music and interviews with celebrities shown on a big screen. The elite wheelchair start will be at 10.15am; the elite women start at 10.20am and the visually-impaired start at 10.22am.
What is the Great North Run route?
Regulars in the Great North Run will know its usual 13.1-mile route like the back of their hand - as no doubt will the millions of viewers who watch it on TV each year. Following the one-off change for 2021, the famous route will follow its traditional format with a beginning in Newcastle, as mentioned above, from where runners will head off through the city centre towards the River Tyne where those tens of thousands of people will cross over the iconic Tyne Bridge.
From there, runners will run along Gateshead's Felling Bypass, where a touch of music always proves popular in helping them on their way. Then they press on to South Shields at White Mare Pool and head towards a welcome view of the sea.
Here is a picture of the 2022 route:
A PDF can downloaded here of the event guide which includes maps.
Where does the Great North Run finish?
The run will finish on The Leas in South Shields but there is a slightly different layout there this year so we will be bringing you a map to explain more. Watch this space. This year will include a new Apres Run Zone on the finish line so read more about that below.
Where is the best place to watch the Great North Run?
Key vantage points include the start of the Great North Run at the Town Moor, where you catch some of the pre-race atmosphere. You can stand on one of the bridges over the central motorway to see everyone pass below. Or head down to the Tyne Bridge or Quayside to watch the runners pass by.
Spectators watching out for a participant are advised to choose a viewing point and stick to it or else they risk getting lost in the crowds and missing their loved ones entirely. Other vantage points can be along the route of the A184 Felling Bypass.
More information about best vantage points for the Great North Run is here.
How do we track the runners?
Family and friends will be able to keep an eye on a runner's progress by tracking them via the Great Run App which is free and available from the iTunes App store and the Google Play Store. See here.
Will the Red Arrows be back?
The good news is yes and what's more the Newcastle fly-past will be followed by a display over South Shields. Read here to find out all about the plans and the timings to note.
What's new for the Great North Run in 2022?
Apres Run Zone - this is a new addition to the event. Runners pouring of the finish line will be buzzing - despite their fatigue - with their great achievement and, rather than flag, they can continue to enjoy the high-energy mood, while chilling out, in this new zone.
Here they are invited to "relax, rewind, recharge and revel" against a backdrop of classic club anthems played by a Heart Radio DJ truck. There also will be plenty seating areas, picnic tables and various food suppliers plus a Finishers' Marquee with a Wylam Brewery Bar and live bands adding to the party mood.
Baggage buses - there will be new locations for the buses which transport runners' belonging to the South Shields finish line. Remember the run number is needed to gain access to the buses. For orange and white numbers at the start there will be 26 double decker parked on the Town Moor along the entrance route to the start line.
For green numbers, 12 buses will be available on Claremont Road. All buses will be numbered so, of course, it will be important for runners to remember which one they use. There also will be a new collection point to note in South Shields.
This will be at Gypsies Green stadium which is accessible from the Apres Run Zone. Watch this space for upcoming timetable news on the buses' departure times.
Great North Run road closures and parking
Temporary road closures and restrictions will be in place in Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields to ease the pressure along the Great North Run route. There isn't any official event parking available at the route start, which is the Central Motorway (A167) in Newcastle close to the bridge by Claremont Place and North Terrace.
This road and the Tyne Bridge are, of course, among the areas being closed in the run-up to, during and after the event. Keep an eye out for updates to explain the Newcastle and Gateshead road closures in full as well as a public transport guide and useful information for runners and their supporters.
In South Shields parking will be available at the finish line, opening at 8am on the day. The Dragon car parking area at Bents Park also will be open but this will limited, having less available parking than in previous years. Alternately there is public parking in and around South Shields. See the full guide to parking below.
We'll be including all the new announcements in this guide so look out for regular updates. Finally, and most importantly, our message for everyone is enjoy the Great North Run!
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