Although the deadline for registering at the Junior and Mini Great North Runs 2023 has passed, for those lucky enough to claim a spot, the day is almost here.
Dubbed "Super Saturday" by the event organisers, the race for children will see Tyney the Tortoise return as the official mascot once again after their debut in 2022.
There will also be events and activities for youngsters to join in with throughout the day such as an Aqua Pura water play game and basketball sessions with the Newcastle Eagles Community Foundation.
This is everything parents and carers need to know, from where the start line is, the route, travel advice and more.
When are the Junior and Mini Great North Runs 2023 and what is the theme?
The Junior and Mini Great North Run for this year will take place on Saturday, September 9, the day before the mega Great North Run event which is set to see Olympic Champion Sir Mo Farah take part in his last ever professional race.
It will start and finish on the Newcastle side of the river.
The Great North Run website says: “We want to see all our Junior, Minis and Mini 50s in HERO fancy dress – pick your favourite superhero, sports hero or local hero to dress up as and get down to the start line to champion your costume – be fearless with your outfits!”
@ellie_pearsonn Well done Eddie 💛🥰 #newcastle #gnr #greatnorthrun #family #charity @heelandtoecharity ♬ original sound - Ellie
The full line-up of the day can be found here, along with the start times of different age groups.
How to travel to the Junior and Mini Great North Runs 2023
It’s been advised that those who are attending should try and travel by public transport.
“The start, at the bottom of Dean Street, is a short walk (approx. 10 minutes) from Central Station and Gateshead Metro Station. Up to three children under the age of 11 can travel for free on Metro and Shields Ferry services when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, see nexus.org for more details,” writes the organisers.
“If you’re walking from Gateshead there will be access across the Swing Bridge to the bottom of Dean Street. However, should you need to park close by there are plenty of car parks and on-street parking options available.”
What are the baggage rules for the Junior and Mini Great North Runs 2023?
There will be no bagging facilities provided on the day of the races so it’s advised people should arrive “ready to go” with “minimal belongings where possible.”
What is the distance for the Junior and Mini runs?
The distance of the Mini run is 1.2km, whereas the Junior route will be 4km.
“All runners will start by crossing the Swing Bridge. Junior runners will then do an out and back section towards the Redheugh Bridge, before re-joining the Mini route, that heads along the Gateshead Quayside, past the Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.
“All participants will run across the Millennium Bridge before their big finish on the Newcastle Quayside, near the Law Courts,” explains the Great North Run.
Please note, all Mini runners must be accompanied by an adult and a map of the full route can be found online.
More information including what to do on arrival, how to track your child’s running time and where the missing persons point is located can be found on the Great North Run website.
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