- Route: Newcastle city centre → Tyne Bridge → Gateshead → Jarrow → South Shields seafront: point-to-point, city to sea
- Distance: 13.1 miles (21.1km): the world’s largest half marathon, 60,000+ runners
- Key landmarks: Tyne Bridge (mile 1.5), Gateshead International Stadium (mile 3), The Nook (mile 10), North Sea view (mile 12)
- Finish: South Shields seafront, Coast Road (A183)
The Great North Run is the world’s largest half marathon: 60,000 runners, one unforgettable city-to-sea journey. From the A167 in Newcastle to the South Shields seafront, every step of this 13.1-mile route has a story. This guide covers everything: the full route, mile-by-mile landmarks, the honest elevation profile, and race day essentials for 2026.
Great North Run 2026 Route Map
The Great North Run follows a point-to-point course: you start in Newcastle city centre and finish at the coast. There’s no loop, no doubling back. Just one long, emotional journey south-east to the North Sea.
The full route: Newcastle city centre → Tyne Bridge → Gateshead → Team Valley → Jarrow → Marsden → South Shields seafront.
[Insert Google Maps embed: Newcastle city centre (A167/Claremont Road) to South Shields seafront]
The course runs on closed public roads throughout. It passes through some of the most recognisable parts of Tyneside: from the Monument and Central Station in the city centre, across the iconic Tyne Bridge, through Gateshead and Jarrow, and out to the coast.
Mile-by-Mile Landmark Guide
| Miles | Section | Key Landmarks | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Newcastle city centre & Tyne Bridge | Monument, Central Station, Tyne Bridge (mile 1.5), Red Arrows flyover | Downhill start, electric atmosphere, iconic crossing |
| 3–5 | Gateshead | Gateshead International Stadium, Glasshouse International Centre for Music | Uphill section begins: pace yourself here |
| 5–8 | Team Valley & Leam Lane | A194 Leam Lane, A19 interchange (mile 8) | Downhill relief: use this stretch to recover |
| 8–12 | Jarrow & Marsden Bank | John Reid Road, The Nook (mile 10), Marsden Bank, Marsden Lane | Toughest section: sustained uphill. Biggest crowds at The Nook |
| 12–13.1 | South Shields seafront | First North Sea view (mile 12), Coast Road (A183), finish line | Flat-ish reward. Rapturous crowds. You’ve made it |
Miles 1–3 are where the race comes alive. The start on the A167 central motorway feels surreal: 60,000 runners filling a motorway. By mile 1.5 you’re on the Tyne Bridge, and if you’re in an early wave, the Red Arrows roar overhead at around 11:30am. Look up. You’ll regret it if you don’t.
Miles 3–5 bring the first real climbing. Once you cross into Gateshead and pass the International Stadium, the road tilts upward on the A184. Nothing brutal yet: but a signal of what’s coming later.
Miles 5–8 are your gift. The route drops down through Team Valley onto the A194 Leam Lane, giving your legs a proper rest. Bank this recovery. You’ll need every bit of it.
Miles 8–12 are where the Great North Run earns its reputation. The sustained uphill through Jarrow and up Marsden Bank (miles 10–11) is relentless. But mile 10 brings The Nook: a narrow street with supporters packed on both sides, noise bouncing off the walls. It’s one of the loudest spots in UK road racing.
Miles 12–13.1 are your reward. The North Sea appears at mile 12, and from there it’s a flat-ish run along the Coast Road (A183) to the finish on South Shields seafront. The crowd noise builds again. You’ve earned this.
Great North Run Elevation Profile
Let’s be honest: this is not a flat course.
With ~430ft (~130m) of total elevation gain, the Great North Run is significantly hillier than most runners expect: especially those coming from flatter races like Manchester (121ft) or even London (266ft).
The breakdown:
- Miles 1–2: Downhill: fast, exciting, deceptively easy
- Miles 3–5: Uphill: Gateshead climb on the A184, pace yourself
- Miles 5–8: Downhill: the relief section, recover here
- Miles 8–12: Uphill: the toughest stretch. A sustained 4-mile climb through Jarrow and up Marsden Bank. This is where races unravel if you’ve gone out too fast
- Miles 12–13.1: Flat-ish descent to the coast: your reward
The course rewards runners who start conservatively. The downhill Tyne Bridge crossing at mile 1.5 tempts you to bank time early: resist it. The miles 8–12 climb will find you out.
Great North Run 2026 Race Day Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, 13 September 2026 |
| Wave starts | From approximately 10:30am |
| Start location | A167 central motorway, Newcastle city centre |
| Finish location | South Shields seafront |
| Distance | 13.1 miles (21.1km) |
| Cut-off time | Approximately 4 hours |
| Elevation gain | ~430ft (~130m) |
| Participants | 60,000+ |
Always check greatrun.org for the latest wave times and event guide, published approximately one month before race day.
Tips for Running the Great North Run
1. Don’t go out too fast. The early miles feel effortless: downhill, electric atmosphere, Tyne Bridge crossing. But miles 8–12 will punish any time you’ve banked recklessly. Run the first half by feel, not by ego.
2. Soak in the Tyne Bridge moment. Mile 1.5 is the emotional heart of the race. Look up. Take it in. If you’re in an early wave, the Red Arrows may be overhead. This is why you entered.
3. Prepare mentally for miles 8–12. The sustained uphill through Jarrow and up Marsden Bank is where Great North Runs are won and lost. Don’t try to fight it: break it into chunks. Lamp post to lamp post if you need to.
4. Use the crowd at The Nook. Mile 10, narrow street, supporters on both sides, noise you can feel in your chest. Let it carry you. This is one of the loudest sections of any UK race and it arrives exactly when you need it most.
5. Trust the downhill finish. The moment the North Sea appears at mile 12, you’re nearly home. The Coast Road to South Shields is your reward for everything you’ve just put yourself through. Open up and enjoy it.
Celebrate Your Great North Run Finish Line
You ran from city to sea. Thirteen point one miles, one Tyne Bridge, one brutal climb, one unforgettable coastal finish.
Now frame it.
Our personalised Great North Run route map print turns your race into wall art: every landmark, every mile, your name on the finish line. A proper keepsake for a proper achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Great North Run a flat course?
No. The Great North Run has ~430ft (~130m) of elevation gain: significantly more than Manchester or London. Miles 8–12 feature a sustained uphill through Jarrow and up Marsden Bank that catches many runners off guard. The good news: the finish is a rewarding flat-ish run along the South Shields seafront.
Where does the Great North Run finish?
The Great North Run finishes on the South Shields seafront, on the Coast Road (A183). The final mile runs along the seafront with the North Sea to your right and crowds lining both sides.
What landmarks do you pass on the Great North Run?
The route takes in the Tyne Bridge (mile 1.5), Gateshead International Stadium (mile 3), the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, The Nook in Jarrow (mile 10), Marsden Bank, and the South Shields seafront finish. The Red Arrows typically fly over the Tyne Bridge at around 11:30am as early waves cross.
Where does the Great North Run start?
The Great North Run starts on the A167 central motorway in Newcastle city centre, close to Claremont Road and the Queen Victoria Road roundabout. The route passes Jesmond, Haymarket, Monument, and Central Station before crossing the Tyne Bridge at mile 1.5.
Can I get a personalised Great North Run route map print?
Yes. The Finish Line Co. creates personalised Great North Run route map prints: your name, your race, beautifully framed. View the Great North Run print.