From the Pride Run to the Great North Run

The NFR Pride Run may be done for another year, but there’s no time to put those running shoes away just yet. The biggest running event of the year in the North East is almost here — the 2026 AJ Bell Great North Run!

Taking place from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026, Great North Run weekend will once again see thousands of runners, supporters and visitors descend on Newcastle, Gateshead and South Shields, with the iconic 13.1-mile half marathon taking place on Sunday 13 September. And, as always, Newcastle Frontrunners will be here to give our fellow Frontrunners from across the UK a very warm North East welcome!

🏃 Final training push!

For our Newcastle Frontrunners taking part, the hard work is almost done. Our runners are now entering the final stages of training, and we’ve been here to support them every step — or should that be every mile? — of the way. From running development and preparation advice to those all-important long Sunday runs, we’ve been helping our members get ready to take on the Great North Run.

And there’ll be plenty of NFR representation across the weekend, with members taking part in:

• The Great North 5K on Friday 11 September

• The Junior and Mini Great North Run on Saturday 12 September, with some of our Mini NFR runners taking part

• The Great North Run half marathon on Sunday 13 September

🧁 Shakeout, Parkrun, coffee and cake!

What better way to spend Great North Run Saturday than with a gentle run, some friendly

faces and coffee and cake? On Saturday 12 September, we’ll be meeting at 📍Leazes Park for our Great North Run shakeout and ParkRun. And because this is Newcastle Frontrunners, we obviously have to go for a well earned coffee and cake afterwards — a proud NFR tradition!

All Frontrunners are welcome, whether you’re running on Sunday, supporting someone who is, or simply visiting the North East for the weekend. It’s also a great opportunity to get advice about the race, ask questions, pick up some local tips and meet fellow Frontrunners before the big day.

📸 Sunday: Let’s get that team photo!

Great North Run Sunday is finally here! Before the runners head off, we’ll be gathering all NFR runners taking part for pre-run photos at 9:45 am.

📍 The Quadrangle by the King’s Building, Newcastle University

So get those race-day outfits ready, bring your biggest smiles and let’s get a cracking NFR team photo before everyone heads off to take on the course!

If you’re running, don’t worry — you won’t be on your own. We’ll be out on the course cheering you on from📍 Camden Street by the bridge, armed with what Newcastle Frontrunners does best: music, enthusiasm and ridiculously loud cheering! 📣

Whether you’re aiming for a PB, chasing that elusive sub-two-hour finish, taking it steady with friends or simply determined to enjoy every mile, listen out for us. You might hear us before you see us!

🍻 Medal first, drinks and refreshments second!

Once those miles are conquered and the medals are safely around your neck, it’s time for the most important part of the weekend…The celebrations! From 2pm on Sunday 13 September, we’ll be heading to📍 The Hancock in Newcastle for post-run drinks, refreshments, medal showing-off and plenty of stories about how “that hill definitely wasn’t that big last year.”

The Hancock is just a short walk from the bus drop-off and Haymarket Metro station, making it an easy place to meet up after the race. And remember: you don’t have to be running to join us. All Frontrunners are welcome! See you on the start line — and the finish line!

Whether you’re travelling from across the UK, running your first Great North Run, chasing a personal best or simply here for the atmosphere, Newcastle Frontrunners are ready to welcome you to the North East. We’ll be there throughout the weekend to support, encourage, cheer and celebrate with you.

If you have any questions about our Great North Run activities, drop us an email at info@newcastlefrontrunners.co.uk or get in touch with us through our social media.

Good luck to everyone taking part!

We’ll see you out there — and we’ll be the ones making the most noise! 📣🏅🎉