Are you signed up for the Great North Run 2025? Congratulations! You are about to take part in the world’s biggest and, in my opinion, best half marathon. The atmosphere is unrivaled, the support is deafening, and the sense of achievement crossing that finish line in South Shields is incredible.
However, with 60,000 runners descending on Newcastle, logistics can be a nightmare if you aren’t prepared. I learned this the hard way.
If you want to enjoy the day without unnecessary stress, read on for my essential guide to tackling the GNR, based on my very long, very tiring, but ultimately amazing experience.
Lesson Number One: The Hotel Crisis
This was my biggest mistake. I assumed I could snag a room a month or two before the race. I was wrong. Hotels in Newcastle, Gateshead, and even surrounding towns like Sunderland and Durham were either completely sold out or charging astronomical prices (think £300+ for a basic room).
Because I refused to pay that much, my race day started ridiculously early. I ended up driving all the way from Dudley in the West Midlands on the morning of the race. I had to park miles away from the city center and get a train just to reach the start area. By the time I got to the start line, I’d already been traveling for hours. Don’t be me. Book your hotel a year in advance.
The Start Village Reality Check
Once you arrive in Newcastle, the scale of the event hits you. It is massive. Getting to the Start Village on the Central Motorway requires patience.
Facilities and Food
When you reach the village, manage your expectations. If you are hoping for a nice pre-race coffee and a bagel from a vendor, forget it. There are very few food and beverage serving areas, and the queues are immense. Top Tip: Bring your own breakfast and water bottle to the start.
Then there’s the toilet situation. If you need a sit-down toilet, prepare to queue for a very long time. However, for the men, they provide an almost endless supply of urinals which keeps the lines moving faster than many other races.
There are baggage buses organized by your race number colour. You drop your bag off, and it (hopefully) meets you in South Shields. It runs efficiently, but make sure you are on the right bus!
The Atmosphere and The “Urge”
The walk from the start village to your actual starting pen is longer than you think. Give yourself plenty of time. As you walk, you will see the sheer scale of humanity—massive waves of people bobbing in anticipation. I even spotted Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) slowly advancing to the start line near me, which added to the big-event feel.
And then, inevitably, as soon as you are crammed into your starting pen like sardines with 20 minutes to go… the usual pre-race urge to urinate hits. It happens to everyone. You just have to hold it and let the adrenaline take over!
The Course: A Mile-by-Mile(ish) Breakdown
The Great North Run isn’t flat. It’s generally described as “undulating,” which is runner-speak for “there are some nasty hills.” Here is what to expect out on the tarmac.
Miles 1-2: The Iconic Start
The start gun goes off, “Local Hero” plays, and it takes ages to actually cross the start line. Don’t panic; your chip time only starts when you cross the mat. The first mile is adrenaline-fuelled chaos. You are bobbing and weaving. Suddenly, you are on the Tyne Bridge. Enjoy this moment; the noise and the view are incredible. You might even see the Red Arrows fly over.
Miles 3-5: The Slog Begins
Once over the bridge in Gateshead, reality sets in. You hit the Felling Bypass. This section is a long, steady drag uphill. It’s not steep, but it goes on for a while and can sap your legs early if you went out too fast. Pace yourself here.
Miles 6-9: The Middle Miles
You pass the halfway point and start heading towards South Shields. You’ll pass the famous Whitemare Pool roundabout. The crowds here are amazing—kids holding out jelly babies, bands playing, people hosing you down if it’s hot. Soak it up, you need the energy.
Miles 10-12: The Mental Battle
This is the toughest part. You turn onto the John Reid Road. It feels like a very long, wide incline that never ends. Your legs will be screaming. You just have to put your head down and keep moving. You know the coast is near, but you can’t see it yet.
Mile 13-13.1: The Glory Leg
Finally, you crest the hill and see the North Sea. The view is a huge relief. But be warned: the final mile along the coast road is psychologically brutal. You can see the finish structure in the far distance, and it doesn’t seem to get any closer.
Right before the end, there is a very steep, short downhill section onto the grass of the Leas. Careful on tired legs here! Then, it’s the final 400m sprint to the line with thousands cheering you on.
The Finishers Village and The Journey Home
Crossing that line is pure euphoria. You grab your medal, your finisher t-shirt, and your goody bag.
The Finishers Village in South Shields is vast. It’s a great place to meet family and soak up the atmosphere, though phone signal is often non-existent because of the crowds. I headed straight for food. I have to say, the dairy-free pizza slice I found was the best thing I have ever tasted in my life at that moment!
The Long Road Back
Getting out of South Shields is chaos. The queues for the Metro trains back to Newcastle can be hours long. The ferry queue is the same. Because I had driven up that morning, I had to endure the long journey back to the car, and then drive all the way back to Dudley the same evening. It was an incredibly long, exhausting day.
Summary Tips for 2025
- Book accommodation NOW. Do not wait.
- Bring your own pre-race food and drink to the start line.
- Men: utilize the ample urinals; don’t queue for a cubicle unless necessary.
- Be prepared for a long walk from the buses to the start pens.
- Save energy for the John Reid Road incline at mile 10.
- Plan your escape from South Shields—it will take a long time.
The Great North Run is tough, logistical chaos, and utterly brilliant. Train well, plan ahead, and enjoy every mile!
