Get on your marks for the Great North Run

Great North Run organisers are still planning for the event to go ahead this September with 57,000 runners set to take part in the legendary half marathon.

Event organisers Great Run have confirmed that the Great North Run 2021 is set to take place on September 12, following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Junior and Mini Great North Run is also set to take place on September 11, on the Newcastle and Gateshead quayside.

Organisers have confirmed that the Great North Run is already at its 57,000 capacity because the majority of runners who were due to take part last year have rolled over their places for 2021.

This means that a general ballot will not be taking place, however charity numbers are still up for grabs by contacting each charity directly.

The news that the events are still planned to go ahead comes as the roll-out of vaccinations across the UK continues at pace, offering hope of a return to some normality in the near future.

Great Run said that Covid-19 measures will be in place for all of its planned events to keep runners safe.

A statement on the Great Run website said: “We should have celebrated the 40th Great North Run in 2020, but the impact of Covid-19 put our celebrations on hold.

"We’re looking forward to marking that monumental milestone this September instead, while doing everything we can to keep you safe in these unprecedented times.”

Youngsters who signed up to last year’s Junior or Mini Great North Run will be given priority access to this year’s event.

TheGreatNorth5kisscheduled for September 10.