‘It’s brilliant man’ - South Shields runners react to taking on the Great North Run 2026
The Great North Run has once again been a resounding success in South Tyneside.
Thousands of runners have taken on the 13.1 mile route from Newcastle city centre to South Shields as the Great North Run returned for 2026.
The iconic half marathon was back in the North East on Sunday, September 13, and it once again brought out crowds across the region.
Among those taking on the Great North Run 2026 was Prime Minister Andy Burnham, South Shields’ own Joe McElderry, BBC Traitors star Amanda Collier, and Sunderland AFC legend Peter Reid.
‘Puts South Tyneside on the map’
Cllr Stan Wildhirt, Mayor of South Tyneside, has stated that the Great North Run still continues to put South Tyneside on the map and praised those that helps organise it each year.
He commented: “The atmosphere is absolutely electric today in South Shields but it is important to remember that this event doesn’t just start today, it starts months and months beforehand when people start training for it.
“Local charities benefiting from this is one of the big factors of this event because there is so many wonderful people running them but obviously they struggle financially.
“Hats off to everyone at South Tyneside Council and others who help organise it because to handle 63,000 people is just amazing.
“I was talking to someone from London who is here today to get ideas specifically from this event so they can implement them in the capital.
“It just shows that South Tyneside is the forerunner of this kind of thing - it really puts South Tyneside on the map.”
‘Hard in places’
Jackie Murdy, a member of the South Shields Harriers, was among those to cross the finish line in South Shields and praised the atmosphere along the final mile.
She said: “It was great, hard in places and really hot but the crowd was brilliant.
“Loads of people were shouting for the Harriers and it’s really good to be back on home turf.”
‘It’s fantastic’
South Shields Harriers member Alistair Parry was also full of praise for the atmosphere along the South Shields coast towards the finish line.
He commented: “It is an absolutely fantastic event and it means pretty much everything to everyone - I know everyone who I run with loves the event.
“It is one of the best events and I and anyone else can do, compared to every other half marathon that I’ve ever done, the Great North Run is just something else.
“Everyone forgets how long the last mile is because you just see all your friends and family - it’s fantastic.”
‘It’s brilliant man’
Marc Waters, also of the South Shields Harriers, revealed that the warmer than expected weather made it a tough race but was happy with his finish time.
He stated: “It was very hard work as it was a lot hotter than I was expecting so I’m really pleased with how I’ve finished.
“It’s a killer coming up John Reid Road but the Harriers water station was on hand to give a big boost.
“I love doing it every year - coming along that finish line, it’s brilliant man.”
Even though this year’s iteration of the race has just finished, the ballot for the Great North Run is open until 11.59pm on Sunday, September 20, at: https://www.greatrun.org/events/great-north-run/.