It’s finally here, the Great North Run (GNR) 2024 is now only days away.

The “world’s biggest” half-marathon will be taking place in Newcastle and South Shields with around 60,000 runners expected to be taking part this weekend.

In case you are taking part or you're heading along to show your support, this is everything you need to know – from where the start line is, how to use the app, parking and more.

When is the Great North Run 2024? Start line and start time

For 2024, the event will be taking place on Sunday, September 8, however there are new rules for arrival times, depending on what wave colour you have been assigned.

This is to make sure there is a “steady flow” of participants arriving at the start line on the day, which is located on the A167 road, near Claremont Road, outside of Newcastle city centre.

The postcode for the start line is NE2 4AA.

The full list of start times for each race is as follows:

  • 10.25am - elite wheelchair
  • 10.30am - elite women
  • 10.32am - visually impaired
  • 10.40am - warm-up
  • 10.55am - elite men and main race start (estimated times for each wave are: 10.55am-11.25am for orange, 11.25am-11.55am for green and 11.55am onwards for pink)

Visit the GNR website to find out the arrival time and location, depending on your wave colour.

Sir Mo Farah took part in the 2023 Great North RunSir Mo Farah took part in the 2023 Great North Run (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Where is the finish line for the Great North Run 2024 and what is the distance?

If you’re wondering where you will be crossing the finish line or congratulating loved ones, it’s located on Coast Road in South Shields near Gypsies Green Stadium.

The total distance of the GNR is a 13.1-mile route.

How to travel to the Great North Run 2024 start and finish lines

Nexus has issued the following guidance for those travelling to see friends and family take part.

It advises: “If you want to see friends or relatives take part in the run, we recommend that you just choose one place to see them - at the race start in Newcastle, or somewhere on the route, or at the race finish in South Shields.

@great_run AJ Bell Great North Run Event Week Is Here!🙌 #GreatNorthRun #GreatRun #Running #Run #RunTok #HalfMarathon #RunningTok#Newcastle #InspiredByGreatness ♬ original sound - Bluey

“It is almost impossible to see a runner in more than one location, as public transport will be very busy, and because it takes time to reach the race route itself from Metro stations and bus stops.”

Getting to the start line via car, bus or Metro.

The race start is about a 15-minute walk from Haymarket in Newcastle city centre.

  • There’s a Metro station, and bus station at Haymarket, as well as buses going to nearby Eldon Square bus station and many on-street bus stops
  • Shuttle bus services will also be running to Haymarket (St Mary's Place and Percy Street) and Barras Bridge from the finish area in South Shields
  • Parking is free all day on Sundays at the Metro stations marked with a ‘P’ on the Metro map (except at Heworth, which is £3 all day)

Getting to the finish line via car, bus or Metro.

  • Take the Metro from Haymarket or Monument to South Shields - there will be a train every 7.5 minutes once the race has started
  • Shuttle bus services will also be running from Haymarket (St Mary's Place and Percy Street) and Barras Bridge to the finish area
  • The Shields Ferry will operate extra crossings between North Shields and South Shields and will start at 7.45am – 6pm

What is the route for the Great North Run 2024?

Once the runners leave the middle of Newcastle on the central motorway, they will head down the A167 and pass Jesmond, Haymarket, Monument and Central Station before they arrive at the Newcastle side of the Tyne Bridge, reports NewcastleGateshead.

They then cross the Tyne Bridge from Newcastle to Gateshead before being directed on the A184 to make their way towards Heworth. Runners will then pass Gateshead Stadium and continue on the A184 and then onto the A194.

The A194 will bring runners into South Tyneside as they pass the A19 interchange, then on the A1300, participants will be taken past Whiteleas and Centenary Avenue before they change onto the A183 just past Marsden Lane.

This will be on the home stretch in South Shields as with just over a mile to go, runners will arrive on Prince Edward Road as the crowds cheer them on for their final few strides to the finish line on Coast Road.

A full map can be found in the GNR event guide.

Is there parking at the Great North Run 2024?

Unfortunately, there is no parking available at the start of the GNR. Instead, you should try and use city centre parking but be aware that some will be inaccessible due to road closures.

However, there will be parking at the finish at South Sheilds on Leas from 6.15am.

Parking at the Dragon Car Park will be open from 8am on event day.

The GNR event guide explains: “If you need to travel by car, consider parking at a Metro station and take the Metro to the start and from the finish.”

Find more information on where to park for the GNR in the event guide linked above.

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What is the Great North Run tracker app and how to use it?

You can download the Great North Run tracker app to track participants on event day, view live leaderboards, results and much more.

The app says: “Get the most out of your race day experience with live tracking, access to split times and results, interactive course maps and the important information you need on the day.”

To track someone you know (or yourself) on the app, you just need to know their race number.

You can download it on the App Store or Google Play.

Is the Great North Run on TV? How to watch

If you want to watch all the action from the GNR at home, you can tune into BBC One from 10am until 2pm on September 8.