Key details on Great North 10k Newcastle including route, start times, and charities

One of the North East's popular running events, the Great North 10k, is set to make a triumphant return this Sunday.

With the England team preparing for their crucial match on Saturday and the buzz around Silverstone's grand prix on Sunday, the North East and Newcastle will also be buzzing with anticipation for the Great North 10k. The event, which many see as the perfect warm-up for the Great North Run in September, is scheduled for July 7 and will follow the new city centre route introduced last year.

This means participants will kick off from the same starting point as the Great North Run, crossing the iconic Tyne Bridge and passing by other celebrated city landmarks. Organisers have announced that entries are now closed, and this year's race is expected to be the largest and most popular yet, reports Chronicle Live.

Paul Foster, chief executive of The Great Run Company, said. "The 10k city centre route showcases some of the most legendary sights in Newcastle, starting on the Great North Run start line and crossing the Tyne Bridge twice. We look forward to welcoming some of the region's top club runners and all those taking on the 10k for a personal challenge, for fun, or to fund-raise."

Great North 10k Timetable

8am - Event site opens to public.

10am - Kick-off of the Orange wave and speedy runners.

10.08am - Start of Green wave.

10.14am - Launch of the Newcastle United Foundation Black and White wave.

10.16am - Pink wave sets off.

Route

As for the course, it will initiate at the same point where the Great North Run does - on the Central Motorway. This includes traversing the Tyne Bridge and back.

The city centre route will take runners past iconic landmarks such as Grey's Monument and The Great North Museum: Hancock. With a reduction in last year's gravel section, participants can look forward to a smoother transition on the Great North Road before the final 1k stretch on the Town Moor.

Upon completion

Runners who complete the race will be rewarded with a commemorative T-shirt, a gold and red medal, and a 'finishers' bag' filled with goodies. This year, entrants were given the option to forgo their T-shirt in favour of a donation to the National Trust Woodlands Appeal.

The organisers anticipate that the total donations will reach approximately £20,000. At the finish line, runners will also have the chance to purchase official photographs.

Entertainment

To add to the excitement of the day, there will be music and charity cheer points scattered along the route. A DJ will be playing party tunes at the finish line on the Town Moor to further enhance the celebratory atmosphere.

The 2025 Great North 10k

Those interested in participating in next year's event can sign up now to receive the latest updates. For notifications about when entries for the 2025 race open, as well as information and tips about other runs, click here.

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