Great North Run Solo is up and running with 14,000 taking part. Participants are aiming to complete 40 runs, a run for each year of the Great North Run, between 28 June and 13 September, the day the 40th Great North Run was scheduled to take place.

Now event organisers, Great Run, have announced a second challenge – the Official Virtual Great North Run. Organisers are currently finalising details for this virtual experience to allow everyone to get a taste of what it's like to take part in the real thing, it's free to enter and anyone can take part, wherever they are in the world!

The ‘Official’ Virtual Great North Run will be a unique virtual half marathon race experience on the weekend that would have been Great North Run weekend. Entries open on Monday 3 August so mark the date in your diary and go online next week to claim your place on the start line.

This reimagined version of Great North Run aims to create an experience as close as possible to the real thing, giving everyone an opportunity to still commemorate the world's most famous half marathon in 2020 and, importantly, continue their fundraising for their chosen charities. Great North Run would normally raise millions for charities, so runners are encouraged to take on the 13.1 mile challenge to raise money for one of the event's official charities.

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: “Despite having to cancel the event due to the public health crisis caused by the Coronavirus we were determined to find a way to mark the day and celebrate all that is great about the event and the people who make it even greater.

“The Great North Run is an important day in the calendar for the North East for competitors, spectators & many others, but in particular for charities. Through runners’ blood, sweat and tears over £25m is raised for charity each year. With runner’s help and through the Great North Run Reimagined campaign, we’re hoping to still help all our charity partners raise a significant fundraising total.”

Great North Run Solo is a flexible challenge to keep you moving throughout the summer with a target of 40 runs in the 78 days from 28 June to 13 September. Those taking part can run any pace or distance they’re comfortable with and everyone who completes the challenge will receive a special edition medal. The Solo challenge costs £10 to join, and all profits will go to the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal.

Entries for Great North Run Solo are open until 31 July at the Great Run website.

Entries for the Official Virtual Great North Run open on 3 August, for more information visit the Great Run website.

Image courtesy: Great North Run