The Great North Run by numbers

Sep 18 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

PEOPLE from all walks of life have spent the last few months pounding the streets in preparation for this year’s BUPA Great North Run.

But what about all the work behind the scenes that make the big day possible? From water stations to safety pins, in the Great North Run in numbers, Kim Carmichael takes a look at the statistics behind the smaller details that all help make the event one of the world’s most monumental half marathons.

54,000 is the record number of people entered into this year’s run.

250,000 bottles of Aqua Pura Water will be given out to them during the course of the day.

216,000 safety pins make sure that all the race numbers are securely fastened onto runners.

6.5 tonnes of leftover clothing was collected from the course in 2007 by the College for International Co-operation and Development.

1,000,000 1 millionth ever runner Leanne Symonds, from Cramlington, entered the event on her first run in 2007.

24 was the number of half marathons completed by Findlay Young in 2006 when he won his battle against cancer. He completed the challenge on

4 water stations are situated on the course.

2007 was the year that Sir Bobby Robson became the only man to have been honorary starter of the event on more than one occasion

36,000,000 £36 million is the economic impact for the region generated by the run.

17 different bands will entertain runners on the way to the finish this year.

707,400 miles will be covered in total by competitors in this year’s event - 3 times further than the distance to the moon.

100 countries around the world show TV highlights of the run.

488 medics, including expert consultants and cardiac specialists, are on standby on the route.

2 weeks is the time it takes to build the finish area.

4 hours is the time the course is in use for the first to last finisher.

1 week of work is taken to break down the finish area.

2005 was the year that England cricketer Paul Collingwood brought the famous Ashes urn to the BUPA Great North Run startline.

1981 was the first ever Great North Run.

732,029 entrants have crossed the finish line at South Shields.

59:05 is the elite men’s course record, which was set by Zersenay Tadese in 2005.

1:05:40 is the women’s course record, set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003.