The biggest half marathon in the world, from Newcastle to South Shields on September 11th 2017!
Who's going?
I've finished my spring marathon and I will start my preparation for it in a few weeks.
It'll be my first. How did people find it last year?
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For the first time ever, Childreach is going to the Great North Run and YOU could make history by joining our running team and help unlock children’s potential worldwide. With a discounted registration fee of £35 and fundraising target of £350, you can not only take on this brilliant challenge, but also support incredible international child's rights projects – you can find out more about our work at www.childreach.org.uk.
Contact Hannah on hananh.richards@childreach.org.uk or 02031375500 or sign up now:
www.childreach.org.uk/challenges/great-north-run
Did it for the first time 2015. Great event.
I'm doing my first marathon next Monday, so will start HM training over the summer. Want to do Belfast HM the week after GNR for a PB - GNR not really a good PB course for obvious reasons.
Are you staying over in Newcastle or travelling on the day?
The course looks pretty flat (net downhill?) and most of it is on wide dual-carriageways, no? So, apart from the odd bottleneck near the start, I'd have thought it was a pretty fast course. What am I missing? Is the congestion really that bad throughout the race?
But it's not so much the hills that are the problem, it's simply the congestion - there will be over 50,000 people running. Think of all three starts at London put together and then half the same again, over a HM course. If you start in the right place and those around you are running at your pace, then yes, it can be a fast course. But unless that happens, there are way too many people to overtake or make your way around. The number or runners is absolutely bonkers - that's one of the things that make it feel like such a special event, but it would be a real pain if looking for a PB and having to get past people.
And people can be "optimistic" with their estimated times, so you may want to get yourself to the front of your starting pen if you're looking to get a time.
The race organisers will provide sports drinks and water, don't think that they provide any food or treats. However, there are lots of charities lining the route giving out fruit, etc., and there will be loads of generous people in the crowd giving out jelly babies, etc. If this is important to you, then perhaps stick a bag in your pocket before you set off?
You've picked a very busy race for your first one (GNR was my first ever race too). This isn't a problem, just be prepared for the scale of it and the sheer number of runners. When you're planning your day, remember that everything will be very busy - allow plenty of time to get to the start line, and even more to get away from South Shields at the finish. Over 50,000 runners means everything is busy and takes a little longer than you might expect, but it also means you will have a great day and fantastic support.
Great to see you on here.
Yes to everyone else, it is the greatest HM in the world - agree with comments about difficulty to get a PB because of the congestion so just go out to enjoy the event - also the Red Arrows fly past in the beginning and display at the end of the race too.
It will be my 33rd consecutive GNR (missed the first four - just like I missed the first four VLMs).
My uncle is one f te 98 Ever Presents. - We park on the right hand side of the last roundabout (just before the 12 mile marker) so that we can get away back to Darlington as soon as we have finished as the South of the routeis not closed to traffic - just a tip that works for us.
You are too kind,
My aunt has run/walked GNR one more than me as she had missed the first three. My uncle runs for Darlington Harriers and we run together. I am trying to catch his marathon total of 128 (will be on 116 by Sunday night).
We have to wait for her to finish (about 3 hour finish time) by which time my uncle and I have tucked into the sarnies, tea, chocolates and anything else that looks like food. We are then able to get back to Darlington before evening.
I normally catch the National Express coach at 10:30 the next day to get me back to London.
You can then try to beat your course record if not a PB.
Hi All hope the trainings going well. I'm doing the Great North Run, not out for a fats time it's more to keep someone company plus I had a knee op a few months ago so it's more for training then anything. It will be a run/walk approach.
Question is how long is your longest run before tapering, I've done 11 last week and had planned to 11 this week however not sure if that's too long a week before the event itself?
Thanks
11 mile run a week before is just right - those doing a half marathon for the first time and wanting to finish in comfort (at whatever finishing time) ought to have been building up to at least 2/3 of the distance as a rule of thumb suggests that one 'hits the wall' about a 1/3 of a distance over their longest run. 11 miles is good.
You might want to taper now and perhaps do the Parkrun on the Saturday at your 1/2 marathon race pace.
> Hi All hope the trainings going well. I'm doing the Great North Run, not out for a fats time it's more to keep someone company plus I had a knee op a few months ago so it's more for training then anything. It will be a run/walk approach.
>
> Question is how long is your longest run before tapering, I've done 11 last week and had planned to 11 this week however not sure if that's too long a week before the event itself?
>
> Thanks
Hi Mark, I ran 11 last night and i will be running 11 on Sunday too. I don't think I run enough miles to need to taper (around 30-35 a week) but I will do my normal club session on Wed before the race then not run again until Sat morning (very very slow 5k) so that my legs have a couple of days rest.
Faya, it says in my Nirvana pack that bedding and towels are provided?
But despair not, if the marshal passes you, you are allowed to finish the race as a pedestrian on the footpath I am told. This is assuming you are not a celeb or taking part for a good cause but have special personal challenges.