AJ Bell Great North Run takes place on Sun, Sep 13, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. The main route is 21.1 km.
- Date
- Sun, Sep 13, 2026
- Start
- Newcastle upon Tyne 🇬🇧
- Distance
- 21.1 km
- Level
- Open to all
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world-famous half marathon running from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields, featuring an iconic route across the Tyne Bridge and a finish along the South Shields seafront.
Official event pageWhat this race demands
The AJ Bell Great North Run demands sustained aerobic output and running efficiency over a 21.1 km distance from Newcastle upon Tyne to South Shields. Athletes must manage pacing across the iconic route to finish strongly along the South Shields seafront.
Aerobic Capacity
Covering the half marathon distance requires a high level of cardiovascular endurance and sustained oxygen uptake. Athletes must maintain a steady aerobic pace for over 21 kilometers.
Impact Durability
Running on pavement for 21.1 km places significant mechanical stress on the musculoskeletal system. Proper running form and durability are essential to maintain efficiency through the final miles toward the seafront.
A half marathon typically takes between 1.5 and 3 hours for most runners, making targeted carbohydrate intake beneficial for efforts extending past the two-hour mark. Athletes should aim for 30 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour depending on their individual duration and race pace.
What would it take you?
Pick the level closest to yours for an estimate of finish time on this course and the training a solid preparation needs.
Estimated finish
1:45–2:10
Peak-week training
5–7 h/week
A model estimate from distance, climbing and level, not a promise. Conditions, drafting and pacing move it.
IntervalCoach turns those weekly hours into a concrete plan built around your actual fitness. Start with this race as your goal
Your road to race day
Race day at AJ Bell Great North Run is 3 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Taper2 weeks · Aug 24, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
02Race week1 week · Sep 7, 2026 – Sep 13, 2026
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
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