Successful 2019 should help GNR organisers in the long run

THE company that organises the Great North Run enjoyed a successful 2019 before the coronavirus pandemic caused the cancellation of all of its 2020 events, new accounts show.

Nova Marketing, which trades as The Great Run Company, is best known for staging the Great North Run as well as a series of 10K, half-marathon, marathon and now ultra-marathon events around the UK.

The firm also runs a TV production division, FilmNova, which helped profits rise in 2019.

Accounts for the year ended December 30, 2019 show the group crossed the finishing line with turnover of £18.3m, down from £20.3m a year earlier, but operating profit almost trebled from £747,502 to £2,047,844.

In a report accompanying the accounts, the firm said that it continues to focus on investing in its existing events, while looking at new opportunities, such as the new Ultra London event, and Urban Ultra Marathon, both of which were held in October 2019.

The report outlines a number of successes for FilmNova, which expanding into triathlon through the coverage of the 2019 World Triathlon Series and the Superhero Tri for Channel 4.

Following the release of the accounts, a spokesperson said: “All participants, charity and commercial partners have been incredibly supportive with very large numbers of entrants opting to defer their entry into 2021 and also signing up for Great Run Solo, which we believe to be the largest virtual running programme in the UK.

“The group looks forward to welcoming back all participants and partners in 2021.”