RUNNERS hoping to secure a place in the region’s best known sporting event can apply now.
The entry ballot for the 32nd Bupa Great North Run officially opens today, with participants encouraged to sign-up online for the event, which is to be staged on September 16.
The half marathon attracted a record number of applications last year, with over 100,000 people applying to take part, from which 54,000 successful entrants were accepted.
Every postcode region in the country was represented on the start line and an estimated £30m was raised by runners for hundreds of charities.
This year’s run will be the first major mass participation running event after the London Olympics.
David Hart, communications director at run organisers Nova International, said: “We are incredibly excited that the Bupa Great North Run takes place so soon after London 2012 and we’ll be planning to ensure that we join together to celebrate its success.”
The Bupa Great North Run will be the highlight of a weekend of activity in the North East, with the Bupa Junior and Mini Great North Runs, along with the Great CityGames, being staged on the Saturday.
With live TV coverage across Europe and highlights being broadcast across the world, the Bupa Great North Run has become synonymous with the North East, with the image of the Red Arrows flying over a Tyne Bridge full of runners becoming one of the most iconic sights in sport.
Earlier this year, The Journal, together with Nova International, organisers of the Bupa Great North Run – launched a campaign to try to improve health and combat the North East’s position as the second most obese region in Europe.
The Great North Fitness Revolution is encouraging as many people as possible to make even small improvements to their lifestyles.
As part of this initiative, we are urging as many readers as possible to sign-up to this year’s Great North Run.
To register for the ballot, prospective applicants should go to www.greatrun.org.
The ballot will close at noon on February 6, with all applicants being advised later that week.
