Thousands race in Great North Run children's event

Dozens of small children setting off on foot in a race. They are all wearing blue T-shirts and green signs on their fronts with their race numbers. They are at the starting line of the race which is under a giant red arch that says "AJ Bell Great North Run". Stewards and adults with stand in the backgroundImage source, North News
Image caption,

Three to 16-year-olds can take part in the junior and mini events

  • Published

Thousands of children have taken part in the Great North Run's Junior and Mini races.

More than 12,000 children aged between three and 16 signed up to the race on the roads surrounding Newcastle's Quayside, the run's organisers said.

BBC Gladiators Sabre, Apollo, Bionic and Athena rang the starting bell for what organisers have described as "probably the biggest event of its type in the country".

Aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle, it is the precursor to Sunday's Great North Run - a half-marathon from Newcastle to South Shields.

Bionic, Athena, Sabre and Apollo, who are wearing all black, stand in front of a group of children posing for the camera and standing behind a rope. They are all wearing blue T-shirts and green signs on their fronts with their race numbers. Image source, North News
Image caption,

Bionic, Athena, Sabre and Apollo started the races

The mini run was a 1.2km (0.7 mile) dash for those aged between three and eight years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Children aged between nine and 16 tackled a 4km (2.5 mile) sprint.

The day also featured the Mini 50 – a flat 50m (164ft) course towards the finish line for children with additional needs, supported by their families and carers.

A young girl - aged about eight - taking part in a road race. She has braided brown hair and is wearing a white t-shirt with a race number in red. She is holding hands with an adult - a bearded man wearing a black t-shirt - and her other hand is reaching out and touching outstretched hand of people lining the street.Image source, North News
Image caption,

Many of the youngsters taking part were raising money for charity

A spokesperson for Gladiators, who started the races, said: "Inspiring a love for sports and staying active in young people is at the heart of our mission and something we deeply care about."

Paul Foster, chief executive of the Great Run Company, said: "I remember running it myself as a kid many many years ago.

"It has really grown up over the years, and to have 12,000 kids taking part makes it one of the biggest running events in the country."

Two women, one with blonde hair and a purple vest, and the other with long dark hair and a black zipped long sleeved t-shirt, standing either side and holding the raised arms of a smiling six-year-old girl wearing a blue turban-style head-dress. Behind them is a large red bell hangs from a red stand.Image source, North News
Image caption,

Six-year-old Margot was fundraising for the charity which supported her during treatment for a brain tumour

Among those running was six-year-old Margot, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2024 and finished treatment in May this year.

She started the first mini wave alongside the Gladiators before completing the course with older sister Delilah.

Her parents are also taking part in Sunday's Great North Run as part of their Miles for Margot campaign.

This has been fundraising for Children's Cancer North and Great North Children's Hospital Foundation, which have supported them during Margot's illness.

More than £30,000 has been raised by family and friends completing various charity challenges throughout the year.

Man in life-sife green turtle costume poses for the camera with their arms in the air. He is next to a group of children who are all wearing blue T-shirts and green signs on their fronts with their race numbers. They are standing behind a rope. Parents stand in the background looking happy. Image source, North News
Image caption,

The race is a precursor to Sunday's Great North Run

Follow BBC North East on X, external and Facebook, external and BBC Cumbria on X, external and Facebook, external and both on Nextdoor and Instagram, external.

Get in touch

Do you have a story suggestion for BBC North East & Cumbria?