A quieter day in South Shields as the Great North Run finish line moves to Newcastle.A quieter day in South Shields as the Great North Run finish line moves to Newcastle.
A quieter day in South Shields as the Great North Run finish line moves to Newcastle.

How it looked in South Shields on Great North Run day as finish line moved to Newcastle

South Shields is usually buzzing with activity and excitement when Great North Run Day arrives.

But it was a very different picture on Sunday, September 12 as the finish line for the world’s biggest half marathon moved to Newcastle for this year’s race due to Covid concerns.

It was announced over the summer that 2021’s Great North Run would take a different route for the 40th anniversary staging, with the event returning to Shields “as soon as possible”.

The move, which founder Sir Brendan Foster said was necessary to secure the event’s future, came as a major blow to businesses across South Tyneside.

GNR day is one of the highlights of their calendar, with many relying on the boost such a busy day would bring.

Our photographer visited South Shields to take in the scene on race day.