The 2024 Great North Run

The Great North Run is one of the largest races in Europe. Produced by the Great Run Company, which puts on swims, road races, and bike races across the British Isles. I was fortunate enough to attend Manchester and New Castle.

Stuart Weir did this piece on the Great North Run. 

A record number of runners took part in this year’s AJ Bell Great North Run, which saw tens of thousands of runners complete the famous 13.1-mile course from Newcastle South Shields, as well as one of the most exciting women’s road races of all time.

The elite women’s race saw a thrilling sprint for the finish line, with six athletes in contention as the race entered the final mile.  Mary Ngugi-Cooper (Kenya) emerged victorious in a time of 1:07:40, with Senbere Teferi (Ethiopia) in second and Alemu Megertu (Ethiopia) in third. Eilish McColgan, perhaps too soon after her Big Half London triumph, placed fifth at 1:07:45.

The first man across the finish line in South Shields was Kenya’s Abel Kipchumba, who was crowned winner at 59:52 after taking the lead early in the race.  Britain’s Marc Scott rounded off a good weekend, which saw him win the UK Athletics 5K Road running Championships with a fightback to claim second place in a time of 1:01:11, with Sondre Noen (Norway) third.

Great Britain’s Jade Hall, competing in her first half marathon since giving birth in March, won the women’s wheelchair race at 58:56, with fellow Brit Claudia Burrough in second place (1:06:52) and Spain’s Carmen Gimenez in third.  The men’s wheelchair race saw more British success, with Johnboy Smith victorious in 48:59, followed by compatriot Sean Frame in second (49:39) and Spain’s Rafael Botello Jiminez in third.

The Great North Run, which started in 1981, has always been about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This year saw 60,000 runners following in the footsteps of 1.3 million before them. Each runner was inspired by someone close to their heart, a worthy cause, or a personal goal, contributing to around £25million being raised for charity.

Founder and President of the Great North Run, Sir Brendan Foster, said:

“What a day! Every year, I continue astounded by the running prowess we witness at the Great North Run. This event is firmly on the running calendar annually, attracting world-class elite runners and thousands of club runners, fun runners, and fundraisers who want to take on the challenge. This is why we established the event, to make distance running accessible to all.”

A memorable day in many ways, today marked the 50th anniversary of Sir Brendan claiming European 5,000m Gold at the 1974 European Championships in Rome.

A minute of applause was also held for campaigner and fundraiser Claire Lomas before the official race starter, Paris 2024 Olympic Silver Medallist Kieran Reilly, set runners on their way. Claire Lomas, a legend of the Great North Run, sadly passed away in August.