Tyneside ready for the Great North Run

Sep 18 2010 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

ALL eyes will be on the North East this weekend as the region celebrates its 30th year of hosting what has become the world’s biggest half marathon.

Around 54,000 runners will take to the streets of the region for the Great North Run tomorrow, as well as the Mini and Junior Great North Runs today.

More than £15m is expected to be injected into the region’s economy from people staying in the region for the run.

Millions more are expected to watch the event on television through coverage on BBC1 tomorrow.

At 10.10am, the sporting spectacular will get under way when the Elite Wheelchair race starts, followed by the Elite Women’s race at 10.15am.

Elite Men will follow at 10.40am, along with the mass start which will see Tyneside TV presenters Ant and Dec fire the starting gun to set runners on their way on the 13.1-mile course.

The Red Arrows display over the South Shields skyline is due to get under way at 1.15pm.

And with massive crowds of runners and spectators set to flock to the area, Great North Run organisers are warning people to be prepared.

Many of the region’s major roads are expected to be extremely busy and some closed for part of the day, so organisers are urging people to use public transport wherever possible.

Both Go North East and Stagecoach will provide extra bus services, while an increased Metro service will operate between South Shields and Newcastle on Sunday.

Organisers have also advised runners to buy Metro tickets in advance and leave plenty of time for journeys as the service is expected to be very busy.

A continuous ferry service will carry people between North and South Shields all day.

For more information, call Traveline North East on 0871 200 2233.

Following the race, the official reunion area is on the grass on the seaward side of the finish. Families should meet under the A-Z banner matching the first letter of the runner’s surname.