Are you race day ready?

ITV Tyne Tees has made a guide for final preparations Credit: Bernd Thissen/DPA/Press Association Images

This page is designed to assist with your final preparations for the Bupa Great North Run.

By now, you should be able to run eight miles comfortably as part of your structured training plan. If you cannot, you will not manage your event safely and are unlikely to enjoy it.

Below are final tips for how to best prepare for the big event:

THE WEEK OF YOUR RUN

It is very important both in the days before your run and during it that you stick to food and drink that you have tried before. Don't start trying lots of new foods as it may affect your digestion.

If you're going to be running for longer than 90 minutes, for example a marathon or half marathon, you will perform better if you follow a programme of carbohydrate-loading in the three days before the run. This involves reducing your training and increasing the amount of starchy foods you eat while cutting down on protein.

Sports dieticians recommend that in the three days leading up to the run more than the normal 65% of your food intake should be carbohydrates. This is important for maximising your muscles' energy stores.

For more nutritional help, go to greatruntraining.org

TRAINING

By now, you should be able to run eight miles comfortably as part of your structured training plan. If you cannot, you will not manage your event safely and are unlikely to enjoy it.

DETERMINE YOUR EVENT DAY KIT

You should have run before in the shoes that you are going to wear on the day. Make sure that you have also used the running kit you will be wearing, including both warm and cool weather gear.

PLAN YOUR JOURNEY IN ADVANCE

Plan your travel arrangements in advance and give yourself time to relax on the morning of the run. If you are looking to use the Tyne and Wear Metro to get between the start and finish, now is the time to pre-purchase your ticket.

CHECK YOU HAVE YOUR RUN NUMBER

Make sure you have your run number and fill in the missing details on the back. This information could save your life, should you require medical assistance on the day, so make sure you do not leave it blank.

CHECK YOU HAVE A BAGGAGE LABEL

If you are planning to use the baggage buses fill out and attach your baggage label to the kit bag you will be using.

CHECK THE WEATHER

Check the weather report in the days and nights before the race so you know what conditions to expect.

IF YOU BRING YOUR CAR, BRING SUPPLIES

If driving, pack a separate bag for your car with spare clothing, some water and some food just in case you get delayed or need a change of clothes.