Great North Run 2024: Fancy dress, famous faces and fast running

The run attracts thousands of people each year

This weekend marks the return of the Great North Run.

Runners will be pulling up their socks, and tying up their laces to take part in the event in Newcastle and South Shields.

Over 60,000 people are taking part in the event this year, making it one of the biggest half marathon events in the world!

While the 13.1 mile run takes place on Sunday, the event runs all weekend with the Super Saturday reserved for children to take part.

Lots of people dress up to take part in the run

The first Great North Run race took place in 1981 and over 12,000 runners took place.

43 years later, the number of runners has grown massively.

In 2020, the run went virtual with runners installing the app on their phone to take part in the race, due to coronavirus restrictions at the time.

The run is also known for its huge contribution to charity, with runners raising millions for charity each year.

Famous faces and fancy dress

The 2023 Great North Run marked Mo Farah's final professional race

As well as those in fancy dress, the run is known to attract sporting superstars and celebrities.

Each year elite athletes are invited to take part in the event, including Olympic and Paralympic champions.

Sir Mo Farah took part for many years winning the race 6 times.

Last year the run was the final event of his professional career.

Dr Alex George, an A&E doctor, social media influencer and mental health ambassador, is one of the those taking part this year.

Alongside him are celebrities such as DJ and presenter Adele Roberts, retired MMA fighter Aaron Chalmers, Traitors stars Diane and Ross Carson and former captain of the Lionesses, Steph Houghton.

Many runners race in fancy dress, from inflatable costumes to superheroes, there is always a lot of fun outfits to spot along the course.

How fast do people run the Great North Run?

The Great North Run Women’s Record Holder is Kenyan runner Mary Keitany

The average runner completes the Great North Run in around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours, but the times vary greatly!

While some people take their time on the course, others compete for the best time possible in the hope of a record on the course.

Kenyan Olympic runner Martin Mathathi holds the current mens record

The Women’s Record Holder is Kenyan runner Mary Keitany who ran 1:05:39 in 2014.

The Men’s Record for the Great North Run is held by Kenyan Olympic runner Martin Mathathi for 58:56 in 2011.

Junior and Mini Great North Run

Tyney is the Junior and Mini Great North Run mascot

The Junior and Mini Great North run take place on the Saturday and give young runners the chance to experience the big event atmosphere!

This year over 10,500 children are signed up to take part in the Junior and Mini Great North Run - the largest entry yet!

Each year the Junior and Mini run has a theme, and this year is 'Finding your Superpower'.

As well as encouraging superhero fancy dress the idea of the theme is to encourage children to discover their inner strengths and unique abilities.

How old do you have to be to take part in the Junior and Mini Great North Run?

Mini runners take part on a 1.2km course

The Junior and Mini Great North Run is one of the biggest kids' running events in Britain.

Mini runners,aged 3-8, take part on a 1.2km course but they must take part with an adult.

Junior runners - runners aged 9-16- can run by themselves or with a parent/guardian.

Junior runners run a little bit further than the mini runners, and take part in a 4km run.

Some of the children taking part this year:

Chip's story

Chip will be conquering the Mini Great North Run

4-year-old Chip Richardson is one of the superheros taking part in this years mini run.

He has a medical condition called Apert Syndrome, and has had to have 8 surgeries in his lifetime already. Because of his illness he will be taking part in a wheelchair but hopes to walk across the finish line.

This year he is taking part in his second Mini Great North Run with his family to raise money for the Sunshine Fund who support children with disabilities.

His family know the run very well, as Chip's Grandad took part in the first ever Great North Run and his dad has run the race seven times.

Freya runs for her little brother

7-year-old Freya Frost is another runner in the Mini Great North Run this year.

She is running in the event for the first time to race money for the Rainbow Trust.

The Rainbow Trust support families with ill children, they supported Freya and her family whilst her little brother Jakob was ill.

Earlier this year Freya also helped her little brother by donating bone marrow to help him get better.

Lots of other children will also be taking part in the event to raise money for charity and have fun with their families.

Good luck Chip, Freya and all the other children and adults taking part in the race!