'Record' number enter ballot for GNR

The number of people applying to enter the 2020 Great North Run is up by 40% on last year – a new record.

The entry ballot for the 57,000 places on the famous half-marathon, this year taking place on September 13, opened on Monday, January 6.

It closes at 9pm on Sunday, February 9.

Demand for this year’s children’s events, the Junior and Mini Great North Run, are also expected to pass previous years.

Entries to the Junior event open at 10am on Tuesday, February 18, with Mini event entries opening at 10am on Tuesday, February 25.

There were just 12,000 runners the first time the main event was held in 1981. Today, successful entrants in the ballot are drawn at random.

The iconic race is the culmination of a weekend of running events, beginning on Friday, September 11, with the Great North 5k, followed by the Junior and Mini Great North Run, the following day.

More charities have also requested places for fundraisers, with more than £18million raised for good causes every year.

Research released in January showed the impact of the race, not only on the athletes, but also on the economy and image of the North-East.

Each year the Great North Run boosts the regional economy by £31million, attracting thousands of visitors from outside of the region.

The Great North Run is held this year for the 40th time and organisers are encouraging people not to miss out, with the highest ever number of finishers on South Shields’ seafront expected.

To enter the ballot visit GreatRun.org/North