As the North East gears up to welcome the Great North Run 2023, participants and spectators will be making last-minute preparations.

It’s the biggest half-marathon in the world and with 60,000 expected to be competing, you don’t want to be caught out by any travel arrangements.

Whether you are taking part or visiting Newcastle and South Shields to cheer on the runners, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) have announced they are adding extra trains throughout the morning so you won’t miss out.

The train company is planning to operate an additional six trains, providing thousands of extra seats as people travel to one of the most popular events of the UK’s sporting calendar.

A team of colleagues from LNER will also take part in the Great North Run to help raise funds for LNER’s partner charity, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).

When and where are the extra LNER services for the Great North Run 2023?

The extra services on the morning of Sunday, September 10 are planned to run between Edinburgh Waverley, Durham, Darlington, Doncaster, Leeds and Newcastle in addition to the existing timetable.

What times are the extra LNER services for the Great North Run 2023?

The additional LNER train times for the Great North Run this year are as follows:

  • 07:00 from Doncaster, calling at York (07:29), Northallerton (07:50), arriving at Newcastle at 08:26
  • 07:05 from Edinburgh Waverley, calling at Dunbar (07:28), Berwick-upon-Tweed (07:55), Alnmouth (08:17), Morpeth (08:32), arriving at Newcastle at 08:45
  • 07:10 from Leeds, calling at York (07:41), arriving at Newcastle at 08:44
  • 07:20 from Darlington, calling at Durham (07:38), arriving at Newcastle at 07:53
  • 07:50 from Darlington, calling at Durham (08:17), arriving at Newcastle at 08:31
  • 07:56 from Durham arriving at Newcastle at 08:13

The Northern Echo:

LNER says advance single tickets to Newcastle from Darlington start from £6.30 in Standard, £21.80 from York and £24.90 from Edinburgh.

Warrick Dent, safety and operations director at LNER, said: “We’re delighted to support those taking part in the Great North Run and their supporters.

“Many thousands of people will be making their way to Newcastle for this great event and our services will bring them into the heart of the city.

“We encourage people to plan and book ahead as trains are likely to be very popular and we recommend customers make sure they have a seat reservation for the most comfortable journey.”

The best value advance fares are available via the LNER app or website.

@great_run 🤔 What would your top tips be for any AJ Bell #GreatNorthRun first timers? 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏻 @sirmofarah #running #halfmarathon #toptips #newcastle #run #runtok #onemotime ♬ original sound - Great Run

What is the Great North Run Route 2023?

Runners in the Great North Run will start on the A167 next to the Town Moor and then follow the road east going around Newcastle city centre as they make their way over the Tyne Bridge and into Gateshead.

From this part of the route, they will then take a left turning onto Park Lane until they reach Leam Lane.

Runners will then follow this road through South Tyneside before reaching a roundabout which will direct them onto John Reid Road and Prince Edward Road as they make their way along the final stretch (just over a mile) along the Coast Road in South Shields.

You can see a full map on the Great North Run website.