For over four decades, the AJ Bell Great North Run has captured the hearts of the nation. More than just a half marathon, this iconic 13.1 mile journey from the city of Newcastle to the coast at South Shields represents personal triumph, resilience and the shared spirit of an entire region. On Sunday 7 September 2025, 60,000 runners will once again line up to take part, cheered on by over 200,000 spectators who line the streets, waving flags and offering encouragement every step of the way.

As the official campaign film We Are the Great North Run beautifully captures, each participant carries with them a unique story. Written and narrated by George Caulkin, North East Sports Correspondent for The Athletic and New York Times, the poem celebrates the unity and diversity of those who run - seasoned veterans, complete newcomers and everyone in between. 

The Great North Run is a race where personal bests and fundraising goals share equal footing with deeply personal journeys. Some run to celebrate life, others to honour loss. Among this year’s inspirational entrants is Samantha Thompson from South Shields, running for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) in gratitude for the care her son Bobby received during months in intensive care.

For sisters Vanessa and Jenny Herbert Reading, the 2025 run is a promise kept. Their brother Mark had encouraged them to sign up last year before tragically passing away from a sudden heart attack. They’re running in his memory and raising funds for the British Heart Foundation. Other participants, like Jacqueline Roe from Selby, are running to transform their lives. After losing her husband to suicide, Jacqueline discovered running as a form of healing and has found strength and community in the process.

Broadcast live on BBC One, the 2025 event will also see elite athletes competing in the men’s, women’s, and wheelchair races. But it’s the sea of runners behind them (each with their own purpose) that continues to define the soul of the Great North Run.

Visit the Great North Run website to stay informed about the 2026 ballot.

Image: Great Run Company