Great North Run still planned to go ahead in 2021 with Covid-19 measures in place

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.
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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.

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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.

The Great North Run is planned to go ahead in 2021.The Great North Run is planned to go ahead in 2021.
The Great North Run is planned to go ahead in 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.

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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.

“We’ll be unveiling our GNR40 campaign in the near future.

"Unsurprisingly, most people who secured a place for 2020 chose to roll it over, so the 2021 event is already at capacity.

"This means we won’t be staging our general ballot in January this year.

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“There are a number of charity places still available so if you want to join us on that historic start line get in touch with one of our charities listed below.”

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

A statement on the Great Run website said: “For three decades we’ve celebrated getting kids of all ages and abilities active at the Junior & Mini Great North Run – now the largest kids single running event in the world.

"There’s nothing quite like the amazing sight of thousands of happy, smiling, active kids racing around the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside.

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“Following last year’s cancellation, we’re excited to be back on Saturday, September 11.

"For those of you who had places in 2020 we’ll be giving you a priority entry window for 2021, more details to follow.”

Other Great Run events across the UK are also set to take place later this year, including the Great North 5k which is scheduled for September 10.

A Great Run website spokesman said: “We know that there is still a lot of uncertainty in our lives right now, so whilst there is still a lot of work and planning taking place behind the scenes, we felt it was the right time to give you something to look forward to, something to keep your spirits up and boost your motivation levels in these testing times.”

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