Great North Run 2022: How the day unfolded as famous half marathon paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
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The iconic half marathon returned to its traditional route – 13.1 miles between Newcastle and South Shields – for the first time since 2019, on a weekend where the nation mourned the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The 2022 staging of the race acted as a celebration of the monarch’s life and service, with a poignant moment of silence taking place before the runners set off.
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Hide AdAfter ruling for more than 70 years and a lifetime of duty, the Queen passed away at Balmoral on Thursday, September 8. She was 96.
While a number of events were cancelled in the wake of her death, the Great Run Company confirmed that the famous race would go ahead as planned.
Related content: Inspiring pictures from Great North Run day as racers and supporters make North East proud
A company statement said: “The event has traditionally been a celebration of the extraordinary achievements of ordinary people, this year it will be an opportunity for us to come together and express our condolences, while celebrating the life of our extraordinary Queen.”
Founder Sir Brendan Foster added on Friday (September 9): “We will endeavour to ensure the event runs smoothly but we will do so ever mindful that the nation has lost someone whose death is a defining moment for all of us, and who will be in our hearts and minds not just today and tomorrow, but long into the future.”
Please see below for a recap on how race day unfolded.
Great North Run 2022: How the day unfolded as famous half marathon paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Key Events
- Thousands of runners and spectators visited region for big day
- A touching tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II before runners crossed the start line
- Check out our recap of how race day unfolded across the North East - with your pictures, stories and more
Thank you to the GNR team and volunteers for doing great work
Clean-up work is underway in Newcastle after the start of the Great North Run - get ready South Shields, those runners are coming!
They’re ready to cheer the runners on!
Angela Llewellyn from Leeds, Alison Dorrian and Helen Robson, both from Sunderland, were in South Shields to show their support for the runners.
Angela said: “It’s brilliant being back in South Shields, and everyone has turned out for it. I class this as the 40th run because it’s back here.”
She added: “I think they made the right decision continuing with the race, everyone can pay their own respects. People have worked so hard so it would have been a shame to cancel it.”
The men’s elite winner - Jacob Kiplimo
Our first batch of inspiring pictures from Great North Run day
It’s already been quite the day - and there’s still plenty of it left to go. The Great North Run is always a huge event in the regional calendar, with thousands of participants and supporters alike smiling for the camera.
See if you can spot any familiar faces in our first batch of snaps from the day here - and keep checking back later for more!
One of the many charities cheering on their runners
Putting our hands together for all of the runners taking on the half marathon for a charity close to their heart. Here, the North East Autism Society cheers on its runners.
Good luck to team NEAS!
More information on the race’s Elite Men - and their successes
World record holder Jacob Kiplimo became the first Ugandan man to win the Great North Run on an emotional day on Tyneside.
The 21-year-old, the reigning world half-marathon champion, left a world-class field in his wake in his first appearance at the event and had a 32-second lead as he hit the 12-mile mark on the 13.1-mile course.
He crossed the line in 59.3 - 66 seconds ahead of Olympic 10,000m champion Selemon Barega, with Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele third in 1.01.01.
Kiplimo told the PA news agency: “I enjoyed the race, it was nice. I came here to win it, I was not worried about the people, it was just about winning the race.
“The atmosphere was nice, the crowd was nice.”
Last year’s winner Marc Scott, from Northallerton, finished sixth in a time of 1.02.28.
Learning more about the Elite Women
In the women’s race, defending champion Hellen Obiri held off Peres Jepchirchir and Almaz Ayana to retain her title.
The trio broke away from the field early in the race and although they were joined briefly by Hiwot Gebrekidan, it was they who contested the race as it entered its final throes.
Kenyan Obiri made the decisive kick in sight of the finish line as she clocked 1.07.0 - 37 seconds faster than last year.
Compatriot Jepchirchir, the Olympic marathon champion, two seconds behind and Ethiopia’s Ayana a further three seconds adrift.
Obiri told the PA news agency: “It’s good for me because I won last year and I won this year on different courses.
“It’s a great opportunity to do a faster one than last time, so I’m so happy.”
Briton Charlotte Purdue, who finished third last year, came home in fifth place in 1.10.11.