‘Proud to be part of it’ - Prime Minister Andy Burnham celebrates finishing the Great North Run 2026
Andy Burnham has become the first sitting Prime Minister to take on the Great North Run.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is “proud” to be one of the 60,000 runners taking part in the Great North Run 2026.
The Prime Minister made history on Sunday, September 13, as he became the first sitting PM to run the iconic half marathon.
‘The North East at its very best’
After collecting his medal for finishing the Great North Run, Mr Burnham stated that the event is the “North East at its very best” and expressed his relief at completing the half marathon.
The Prime Minister said: “It was the best Great North Run I’ve done, I’ve done a few but that one tops it.
“People were out in force and on great form - it is the North East at its very best and it is a brilliant day.
“It feels good but I’m also relieved because if I gave up half way round, it won’t be a good front page on the Daily Mail tomorrow - I think they’d have relished that.
“But I made it and I got round. I’m proud to be part of it and be one of the 60,000 of this amazing occasion.
“It just says so much about the North East and what’s good about the country because I think we forget how good we are when we pull together.”
Running for a North East charity
The Prime Minister was also running the half marathon on behalf on Newcastle-based homelessness charity, Changing Lives.
Mr Burnham added: “I’d announced a drive to end rough sleeping and I came up to announce it in Newcastle.
“I spent some time with the charity, spoke to some of the residents and saw the work that they are doing.
“But also, they don’t always get the spotlight for all they do so I thought it’s my job to put the spotlight on them and thank them all.
“I’ve tried to raise a little bit of money for them today if people look on social media - give them a lift because they deserve it.”